Ink jet recording apparatus recording images when an ink jet recording head is installed thereon and reading head is installed thereon

ABSTRACT

An ink jet recording apparatus is provided with a recording function to record images on a sheet material by installing an ink jet recording head that discharges ink from the ink discharge ports, and also, with an image reading function to read images from a sheet material by installing an image reading head exchangeably. This apparatus includes the discharge port surface of the ink jet recording head having the ink discharge ports formed on it, the image reading surface of the image reading head to read images to this head from the image reading surface, and a member that abuts upon the ink discharge port surface arranged to be in contact with the ink discharge port surface of the ink jet recording head. This member is arranged so as not to be in contact with the image reading surface of the image reading head. Thus the image reading surface of the image reading head is prevented from being stained by ink. Also, this apparatus can be made smaller with a simple structure to provide both reading and recording functions.

This is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 09/306,627,filed on May 6, 1999, which is a divisional application of applicationSer. No. 08/630,538 filed Apr. 10, 1996 (“the '538 Application”)-nowU.S. Pat. No. 6,091,514, which issued Aug. 18, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatuscapable of reading images, having an installation unit for installing animage reading head.

2. Related Background Art

Conventional printers are generally of such a type as to receive datafrom a computer and record data on a recording sheet in accordance withthe contents of the data thus received. In recent years, however, therehave been made available those printers provided not only with aprinting function, but also with the function to read image datarecorded on a recording sheet, such as are used for copying machine andfacsimile equipment, among others. Complex type printers, which arecapable of recording and reading, are increasingly in demand.

To meet with such demands, there have been proposed printers in whichthe image reading function is added to the recording function (asdisclosed in the specifications of Japanese Patent Publication No.1-20832, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-21711, Japanese PatentPublication No. 2-21712, for example).

In any one of these publications, it is intended to make those functionspossible by exchanging the head units for reading and recording, whilesharing the sheet feeding system for both uses.

Meanwhile, as recording methods of a printer, the ink jet method takesthe lead currently over the dot-impact, thermal transfer, electronicphotography, and other methods. An ink jet printer is one thatdischarges liquid ink from the recording head to record on a recordingsheet. The carriage having a recording head and an ink tank or an inksupply mechanism, such as ink supply tube, installed on it, is caused totravel in the scanning direction for recording on the sheet.

For an ink jet printer, a cap is provided to prevent the recording headfrom drying out, and also, to close the nozzle surface of the head in anair-tight manner so as to avoid any ink leakage from the recording headwhen recording does not occur. Here, in this respect, if dust particlesclog the nozzles of the recording head or air enters them, defectiverecording may ensue. In order to recover them under such conditions, theaforesaid cap is provided with a recovery mechanism having a pump tosuck ink by arranging a conductive connection between the pump and thecap.

FIG. 46 shows one structural example of the information processingapparatus provided with the conventional ink jet recording apparatusdescribed above.

The printer unit 401 (recording apparatus) of the information processingapparatus 400 shown in FIG. 46 comprises an aperture 406 a for use incleaning the white reference; an aperture 406 b for use in theexchanging operation; and an aperture 406 c for use in jammingdisposition. However, there is a trend to make the recording apparatus,serving as the printer unit 401 or the information processing apparatusand others using such recording apparatus smaller. The need for itsportable use is increasing, making it necessary to provide a housingthat provides a higher rigidity so that the apparatus withstands beingcarried around.

Also, for an ink jet printer of this kind, it is necessary to dischargeink from the ink discharge ports as a liquid. Therefore, thecircumference of the recording head (ink jet recording head) tends to bewet due to the ink. It is inevitable that the circumference of the capbecomes wet when capping is conducted to cover the ink discharge portsof the recording head. Also, the fine droplets created separately fromthe discharged ink liquid or finely spreading droplets created when theink liquid impacts upon a recording medium, that is, the so-called inkmist, tend to float in the space in the apparatus. Such ink mist oftenoccurs in a larger quantity in the case of a color recording whereplural kinds of color ink liquid are impacted one after another; wherehighly precise recording occurs in which fine ink droplets are impactedin high density; where high speed recording occurs in which the inkdischarge is greater per hour; and where recording occurs by means of asmall printer whose interior space is small accordingly.

When an image reading head, serving as functional elements to readimages, is installed on a carriage or the like for an ink jet printer ofthe kind, it is found that the influence of ink as described aboveproduces an adverse effect on the performance of the reading head. Inother words, a problem is encountered that the quality of readingperformance is lowered due to ink adhesion to the reading head and themember providing the white reference for color correction.

Also, it is found that particularly when a printer of a serial scanningtype is employed, the unstable speed before the carrier (carriage)arrives at a constant speed produces an adverse effect on recordingimages or reading them for recording or reading images of the scanner(reading head) immediately after the carrier is caused to starttraveling for recording or reading the images provided by a scanner. Ifany uneven component, especially resulting from such unstable speed, isincluded in the images read out by the scanner, there is encountered aproblem that the quality of recorded images is conspicuously degraded bythe presence of such an uneven component that may be combined with thefurther unevenness occurring at the time of recording.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With a view to solving the problems described above, it is an object ofthe present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus capableof sufficiently performing the image reading function of the imagereading head when an ink jet recording apparatus is used with an imagereading head installed on it

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an ink jetrecording apparatus having a recording function to record images onsheet material when an ink jet recording head discharging ink from inkdischarge ports is installed thereon, and an image reading function toread images from a sheet material when an image reading head isinstalled thereon. The ink jet recording head includes a discharge portsurface having the ink discharge ports formed thereon. The image readinghead includes an image reading surface for reading images. The apparatuscomprises a member abutting upon and arranged to be in contact with theink discharge port surface of the ink jet recording head when the inkjet recording head is installed. The member is also arranged so as notto be in contact with the image reading surface of the image readinghead when the image reading head is installed.

In addition, according to another aspect of the present invention, theapparatus comprises a carriage capable of mounting the ink jet recordinghead and the image reading head, a head contacting member providedopposed to the carriage in a moving area of the carriage, an imagereading head positioning mechanism for positioning the image readinghead on the carriage when the image reading head is installed on the inkjet recording apparatus. The mechanism positions and mounts the imagereading surface of the image reading head at a position out of contactwith the head contacting member. Also provided is a recording headpositioning mechanism for positioning the ink jet recording head on thecarriage when the ink jet recording head is installed on the ink jetrecording apparatus. The recording head positioning mechanism positionsand mounts the recording head discharge port surface at a positioncontactable by the head contacting member.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ink jet recordingapparatus capable of preventing the reading quality of the image readinghead from being degraded due to ink adhesion to the head and the whitereference member when the image reading head is installed on an ink jetrecording apparatus.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an ink jetrecording apparatus capable of preventing ink from adhering to the imagereading head from the member that abuts upon the ink jet recording headwhen the image reading head is installed on an ink jet recordingapparatus.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an ink jet recordingapparatus capable of preventing ink from adhering to the image readinghead from the member that recovers ink discharged by the ink jetrecording head when the image reading head is installed on an ink jetrecording apparatus.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide an ink jetrecording apparatus capable of preventing the reading quality of theimage reading head from being degraded due to the adhesion of ink mistcreated in the apparatus to the white reference member when the imagereading head is installed on an ink jet recording apparatus.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ink jet recordingapparatus capable of easily cleaning off the ink mist in the apparatusthat adheres to the white reference member, and also, preventing therigidity of the housing of the apparatus from being lowered when theimage reading head is installed on an ink jet recording apparatus.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an ink jetrecording apparatus having a recording function to record images on asheet material by installing on it the ink jet recording head thatdischarges ink from the ink discharge ports, and an image readingfunction to read images from a sheet material by installing the imagereading head on the ink jet recording apparatus, including thefollowing:

the discharge port surface of the ink jet recording head where the inkdischarge ports are formed;

the image reading surface of the image reading head where images areread out to the image reading head; and

a member abutting upon the ink discharge port surface arranged to be incontact with the ink discharge port surface of the ink jet recordinghead, this member abutting upon the ink discharge port surface beingarranged so as not to be in contact with the image reading surface ofthe image reading head.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an ink jet recordingapparatus of a serial type having a carrier capable of installing arecording head cartridge or a scanner head whose configuration issubstantially the same as the recording head cartridge, being caused toscan in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of a sheet andin parallel to one face of such sheet, wherein the distance from oneface of the sheet to the reading face of the scanner head is larger thanthe distance from one face of such sheet to the discharge port surfaceof the recording head cartridge.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide an ink jetrecording apparatus of a serial type provided with a carrier detachablyinstalling a recording head cartridge and a scanner head to cause themto travel selectively for recording on a recording medium when therecording head cartridge is installed, and reading a source documentbeing fed in the same sheet path as the aforesaid recording medium whenthe scanner head is installed, wherein the gap between a source documentand the closest part of the scanner head to the source document islarger than the gap between a recording medium and the closest part ofthe recording head cartridge to the recording medium.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ink jet recordingapparatus provided exchangeably with traveling means for holdingrecording means for recording by use of ink, and reading means;recovering means for recovering the performance of the recording means;and sheet feeding means for feeding a sheet, including the following:

controlling means for making the traveling range of traveling meanssmaller at the time of reading means being installed on the travelingmeans than the traveling range at the time of recording means beinginstalled.

It is still another object of the invention to provide an ink jetrecording apparatus of a serial type having a carrier capable ofinstalling a recording head cartridge or a scanner head whoseconfiguration is substantially the same as the recording head, beingcaused to scan in the direction different from the feeding direction ofa sheet and along one face of the sheet, wherein the standard stopposition of the carrier at the time of the scanner head being installedthereon is different from the standard stop position of the carrier atthe time of the recording head cartridge being installed thereondepending on the scanning directions of the carrier.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an ink jet recordingapparatus of a serial type provided with a carrier detachably installinga recording head cartridge and a scanner head to cause them to travelselectively for recording on a recording medium when the recording headcartridge is installed, and reading a source document being fed in thesame sheet path as the recording medium when the scanner head isinstalled, wherein the standard stop position of the carrier at the timeof the scanner head being installed thereon is different from thestandard stop position of the carrier at the time of the recording headcartridge being installed thereon depending on the scanning directionsof the carrier; and the gap between the source document and the closestportion of the scanner head to the source document is larger than thegap between the recording medium and the closest portion of therecording head cartridge to the recording medium.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide an ink jetrecording apparatus capable of installing recording means for recordingon a recording sheet and optically reading means for reading images fromthe recording sheet on a carrier that reciprocates on the straight linein directions orthogonal to the feeding direction of the recordingsheet, wherein the white reference serving as the reference of thereading level of the optically reading means is arranged in a pluralityon the traveling path of the carrier facing the optically reading means.It is another object of the invention to provide an ink jet recordingapparatus of a serial type being housed in a housing, comprising:

a carrier capable of installing a recording head cartridge or a scannerhead whose configuration is substantially the same as the recording headcartridge, and being caused to scan in a direction orthogonal to thefeeding direction of a sheet and in parallel to one face of the sheet;and

a white reference capable of being read by the scanner head within thescanning range of the carrier, and being arranged on the side oppositeto the home position where the ink discharge ports of the recording headcartridge are capped, wherein:

the exchanging position of the recording head cartridge and the scannerhead to be installed on or removed from the carrier is set at a locationclose to the white reference; and

apertures are arranged for the housing to be utilized when installing orremoving the recording head cartridge or the scanner head on or from thecarrier, and also, when cleaning the white reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view which schematically shows one embodiment ofan ink jet recording apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view which schematically shows one embodiment ofthe ink jet recording apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention, observed from a different direction.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view which schematically shows one embodiment ofthe carrier of the ink jet recording apparatus in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a plan view which schematically shows the circumference of therecovery device of an ink jet recording apparatus in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 5(A and B) show the circumference of the recovery devices of theink jet recording apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of thepresent invention: FIG. 5(A) is the enlargement of a plan viewschematically showing the device; FIG. 5(B), a side view thereof.

FIG. 6 is an operational chart which describes the operation of therecovery device of an ink jet recording apparatus in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an operational chart which describes the operationalrelationship between the blade and carrier of an ink jet recordingapparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view which schematically shows the monochromaticrecording head unit of an ink jet recording apparatus in accordance withone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view which schematically shows the colorrecording head of an ink jet recording apparatus in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view which schematically shows the scanner headof an ink jet recording apparatus in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view which shows an ink jet recording apparatus inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front view which shows the mechanical unit at the time ofinstalling the recording head thereon in accordance with the embodimentrepresented in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a front view which shows the structure of the principal partof another embodiment of the apparatus represented in FIG. 11 embodyingthe present invention.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart which shows the control operation of anotherembodiment of an apparatus represented in FIG. 11 embodying the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view which schematically shows anotherembodiment regarding the installation of the white reference member ofan ink jet recording apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 16, which is comprised of FIGS. 16A and 16B, is a flowchart whichshows the control operation to discriminate the contamination of thewhite reference member.

FIG. 17 is a side view which schematically shows another embodiment of aplaten cleaning cartridge in accordance with the embodiment representedin FIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a side view which schematically shows still anotherembodiment of an image reading cartridge in accordance with theembodiment represented in FIG. 15.

FIGS. 19(A and B) show one embodiment of the scanner head of an ink jetrecording apparatus in accordance with the present invention: FIG. 19(A)is a perspective view which schematically shows the scanner head; FIG.19(B), a schematically cross-sectional view thereof.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view which schematically shows one embodimentof the automatic sheet feeder of an ink jet recording apparatus inaccordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 21(A-D) are side views which describe the operation of oneembodiment of the automatic sheet feeder of an ink jet recordingapparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 22(A-D) are side views which describe the operation of oneembodiment of the automatic sheet feeder of an ink jet recordingapparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 23(A-D) are side views which describe the operation of oneembodiment of the automatic sheet feeder of an ink jet recordingapparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 24(A-D) are side views which describe the operation of oneembodiment of the automatic sheet feeder of an ink jet recordingapparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 25(A-D) are side views which describe the operation of oneembodiment of the automatic sheet feeder of an ink jet recordingapparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a timing chart which describes the operation of oneembodiment of the automatic sheet feeder of an ink jet recordingapparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view which schematically shows a first state ofan information processing apparatus incorporating therein one embodimentof an ink jet recording apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIGS. 28(A and B) are perspective views which schematically show asecond state of an information processing apparatus incorporatingtherein one embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 29 is a perspective view which schematically shows a recordingstate by means of an information processing apparatus incorporatingtherein one embodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 30 is a sectional side view schematically showing an informationprocessing apparatus incorporating therein one embodiment of an ink jetrecording apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram which shows the structure of an electriccircuit of an information processing apparatus incorporating therein oneembodiment of an ink jet recording apparatus in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart which shows the on-off process of thepower-supply of an information processing apparatus incorporatingtherein an ink jet recording apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart which shows the on-off process of an informationprocessing apparatus incorporating therein an ink jet recordingapparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart which shows the on-off process of an informationprocessing apparatus incorporating therein an ink jet recordingapparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart which shows the halt process of an informationprocessing apparatus incorporating therein an ink jet recordingapparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart which shows the halt releasing process of aninformation processing apparatus incorporating therein an ink jetrecording apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart which shows the power-on process of aninformation processing apparatus incorporating therein an ink jetrecording apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart which shows the recording process of aninformation processing apparatus incorporating therein an ink jetrecording apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart which shows the reading process of an informationprocessing apparatus incorporating therein an ink jet recordingapparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart which shows the head exchanging process of aninformation processing apparatus incorporating therein an ink jetrecording apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart which shows the initial operation of theautomatic sheet feeding unit of an information processing apparatusincorporating therein an ink jet recording apparatus in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart which shows the feeding operation of theautomatic sheet feeding unit of an information processing apparatusincorporating therein an ink jet recording apparatus in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart which shows the operation of changing over fromthe automatic sheet feeding mode to the manual one for the automaticsheet feeding unit of an information processing apparatus incorporatingtherein an ink jet recording apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart which shows the operation of changing over fromthe manual sheet feeding mode to an automatic one for the automaticsheet feeding unit of an information processing apparatus incorporatingtherein an ink jet recording apparatus in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart which shows the manual sheet feeding operationfor the automatic sheet feeding unit of an information processingapparatus incorporating therein an ink jet recording apparatus inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 46 is a perspective view which schematically shows the apertures ofthe housing of an information processing apparatus provided with theconventional ink jet recording apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a detaileddescription will be provided of the embodiments in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one embodiment of a recordingapparatus in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 is aperspective view showing the ink jet recording apparatus represented inFIG. 1, observed from a different direction.

In FIG. 1, the ink jet recording apparatus is provided with a carrier 2capable of detachably holding a recording head cartridge 1. The carrier2 is supported on a guide shaft 5 and a guide rail 12 whose respectiveends are fixed to a frame 4 to arrange them to be parallel to eachother, so as to enable the carrier to slide in a direction differentfrom the conveying direction of a recording sheet (a recording mediumincluding a flexible recording sheet such as a plastic sheet) 22,namely, in a direction substantially orthogonal thereto, for example,and also, in a direction substantially parallel with the surface of therecording sheet 22. The carrier 2 is coupled to a part of a belt 11tensioned around a driving pulley 13 driven by a carrier motor 10 torotate by means of a gear train (not shown), and an idle pulley 27 arotatively supported. The structure is arranged so that when the carriermotor 10 is driven, the belt 11 is driven, accordingly, to cause thecarrier 2 to reciprocate along the guide shaft 5 and the guide rail 12in the direction described above.

Also, an ink tank 8 is detachably installed on the recording headcartridge 1. When ink is consumed completely by recording, it ispossible to replace ink tanks 8 for the performance of the nextrecording operation.

Also, there are provided a home position sensor 26 to sense the positionof the carrier 2 by detecting the passage of the carrier 2, and aflexible cable 3 that transmits electric signals from a control board(not shown) to the recording head cartridge 1.

Now, a description will be provided of the structure to convey arecording sheet 22.

A sheet feeding roller 6 is rotatively supported on the frame 4. To theshaft end of the sheet feeding roller 6, an LF gear 18 is fixed. Thesheet feeding roller 6 is driven by means of a sheet feeding motor 23shown in FIG. 2.

A pinch roller 7 is in contact under pressure with the sheet feedingroller 6 from below by means of a spring (not shown). The recordingsheet 22, which is pinched by the sheet feeding roller 6 and pinchroller 7, is conveyed by the driving of the sheet feeding motor 23.Also, a sheet exhausting roller 15 is provided to exhaust the recordingsheet 22 when recording is completed. To the sheet exhausting roller 15,a driving force is transmitted from the sheet feeding roller 6 throughan idle gear train 21, thus enabling the sheet exhausting roller torotate in synchronism with the rotation of the sheet feeding roller 6. Aspur 16 is in contact under pressure with the sheet exhausting roller 15to pinch the recording sheet 22 between the sheet exhausting roller 15and the spur to convey the sheet.

Further, there are provided a sheet sensor 25 to detect the presence andabsence of a recording sheet 22 immediately before the sheet feedingroller 6, and an exhaust sheet sensor 17 to detect the presence andabsence of the recording sheet 22 in the vicinity of the sheetexhausting roller 15.

The function of this apparatus as a recording apparatus is to record oneline on the recording sheet 22 by enabling the recording head cartridge1 to discharge ink downward in FIG. 1 in accordance with recordingsignals in synchronism with the reciprocation of the carriage 2described above. In other words, the recording head cartridge 1comprises fine liquid discharge ports (orifices), liquid paths, energyactivation units arranged for each of the liquid paths, and energygenerating means arranged for each energy activation unit for generatingenergy that acts upon liquid to form droplets.

As energy generating means for generating such energy as describedabove, there are available a recording method that useselectromechanical transducing elements such as piezoelements; arecording method that uses energy generating means for dischargingdroplets by the function of heat generated by the irradiation ofelectromagnetic waves such as laser; and a recording method that usesenergy generating means for discharging droplets by heating liquid bymeans of electrothermal transducing elements, such as heat generatingelements having heat resistors. (Ink may be discharged from thedischarge ports by utilization of film boiling created in ink by theapplication of thermal energy generated by the electrothermaltransducing elements.)

Of these methods, the recording head used for the ink jet recordingmethod, which discharges liquid by the application of thermal energy,makes it possible to record data with high resolution, because theliquid discharge ports can be arranged in a high density for dischargingrecording liquid in the form of droplets for recording.

Of the heads that adopt this method, the recording head, which uses theelectrothermal transducing elements as the source to generate theenergy, can be made compact easily. Here, it is also possible to fullyutilize the advantages of the IC technologies and micro-processingtechniques. The advancement of technologies and enhancement of itsreliability are conspicuous in the semiconductor field in recent years;hence making it possible to facilitate the highly dense assembly of theelements at lower costs of manufacture of the heads, among otheradvantages.

Also, the structure is arranged so that when one-line recording iscompleted by causing the recording head cartridge 1 to travel, therecording sheet 22 is conveyed by means of the sheet feeding motor 23for the one-line portion in the direction indicated by an arrow on therecording sheet 22 in FIG. 1 as the conveying direction, and then,recording is performed on the next line.

For the printer unit 401, an automatic sheet feeding unit 100 isarranged to feed recording sheets from its stack by separating themone-by-one. The structure thereof will be described later.

Now, a description will be provided of a pumping mechanism to performthe recovery operation of the recording head cartridge 1 for themaintenance or recovery of the ink discharge function. FIG. 4 is a planview which schematically shows the circumference of the recovery devicein accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5(A)and FIG. 5(B) are enlarged plan and side views, respectively, showingthe circumference of the recovery device in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 5(A) and FIG. 5(B), a cap 301 is formed by anappropriate flexible material, such as chlorinated butyl rubber, tocover the ink discharge ports of the recording head cartridge 1 so as toclose the ink discharge ports and the circumference thereof in anair-tight manner. The cap 301 is integrally held by a cap holder 303.The cap holder 303 is rotatively held by an arm 304A integrally extendedfrom a cylinder 304.

The cylinder 304 is provided with a piston (not shown) in its interior.When the piston shaft 305 is driven, a negative pressure is generated inthe cylinder 304. Also, the cap 301 is provided with a joint 301Aintegrally formed with the cap 301. The cylinder 304 and the cap 301engage each other in a sealed condition when the joint 301A press fitswith interference in a joint 304B arranged in the cylinder 304.

Now, a description will be provided of a method to keep the cap 301 tobe in contact under pressure with the recording head cartridge 1 orremove it from the cartridge.

As described above, the cap 301 integrally held by the cap holder 303engages with the cylinder airtightly. Further, the cap holder 303 isrotatively held by an arm 304A with respect to the cylinder 304.

Here, as shown in FIGS. 5 (A and B), a cap spring 306 is installedbetween the cap holder 303 and the base 14 that faces the holder. Thecap spring 306 biases the cap holder 303 to the recording head cartridge1 side at all times. Then, the cylinder 304 is supported by the base 14to be rotatable around the cylinder shaft.

As a result, a rotational force is given to the cylinder 304 and the cap301 by means of the cap spring 306 centering on the cylinder shaft.Also, for the cylinder 304, a cylinder controller 304C is integrallyformed as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4. The leading end of the cylindercontroller 304C is in contact with the pump cam gear unit 19A rotativelysupported on the base 14.

Therefore, the rotation of the cylinder 304 is controlled by means ofthe cam unit 19A of the pump cam gear 19 through the cylinder controller304C. In other words, when the cylinder controller 304C moves up anddown (movement in the direction perpendicular to the surface of FIG. 4)along the cam unit 19A of the pump cam gear 19, the cap 301 is incontact under pressure with the recording head cartridge 1 or suchcontact is released through the cylinder 304.

In this respect, the pump cam gear 19 and the driving force transmissionunit held on the base 14 are arranged on the right end portion to avoidthe sheet path (the passage of the recording sheet). The pump cam gear19 can be connected selectively with the LF gear 18 axially coupled bypress fit to the sheet feeding roller 6. The driving of the sheetfeeding motor 23 is transmitted to the LF gear 18 through a gear train(not shown) to operate the clutch, thus pressing the clutch gear 20 tothe LF gear 18 side by means of the movement of the carrier 2. In thisway, it is possible to transfer the driving of the sheet feeding motor23 to the pump cam gear 19.

The pump gear 19 is connected with the cylinder cap gear 307. Further,when the boss 307A arranged on the inner wall of the cylinder cap gear307 is fitted into the lead groove of the piston shaft 305, therotational motion of the pump cam gear 19 can be transformed to thelinear motion of the piston shaft 305.

Here, in this respect, if the carrier 2 does not conduct any clutchingoperation, the transmission of the LF gear 18 is cut off, because thepump cam gear 19 is provided with a partly toothless portion 19B. Thusthe driving is not transmitted to the pump cam gear 19.

FIG. 6 is a chart showing the operation of the piston shaft 305 and cap301 to be executed by the rotation of the pump cam gear 19 when thesheet feeding motor 23 is driven to cause the pump cam gear 19 to rotateafter the carrier 2 actuates the clutch.

The axis of the abscissa indicates the rotational angles of the pump camgear 19. The capping direction is shown in the upper part of theoperational chart of the cap 301. The direction in which the negativepressure is generated is shown in the upper part of the chart regardingthe piston shaft 305. The position of the discharge port surfaceindicated by the axis of the abscissa shows the relationship between thedischarge port surface and the cap 301. When the upper face of the cap301 arrives at this position, the capping operation is completed. Theportion indicated by dotted line represents the overstroked portion ofthe cap 301. In other words, this portion represents the operation ofthe cap 301 when the recording head cartridge 1 is not installed.

As is understandable from this chart, the status changes from thereleased condition to the capping condition along the rotation of thepump cam gear 19. At the same time, the negative pressure is beinggenerated. As a result, the negative pressure resides in the interior ofthe cap after the capping is completed, making it possible to suck inkfrom the nozzles of the recording head cartridge 1 used for recording.In this respect, the structure is arranged to allow the pump cam gear 19to return to the original position when the rotation is reversed afterit arrives at the right side end indicated in the chart.

As described above, the cap spring 306 is held by the base 14 to liebetween the base 14 and the cap holder 303 in the pump mechanism unit,hence enabling the cap 301 to be in contact under pressure with therecording head cartridge 1. Therefore, when recording is at rest, therecording head cartridge 1 is capped to prevent nozzles from beingdried. At the same time, discharges can be normalized when sucking inkfrom the nozzle portion of the recording head cartridge 1 by theoperation of the pump unit if any defective discharges occur due tobubbles generated in the nozzles and dust particles adhering to thenozzle portion.

By use of the pump mechanism unit described above, ink is sucked fromthe recording head cartridge 1 through the cap 301 and disposed as wasteink. This waste ink enters the cylinder 304. Then, by the movement of apiston (not shown), it is exhausted from the cylinder end 304D. Thecylinder end 304D is inserted into the base 14, and then, rotativelysupported by the base 14. To the cylinder end 304D, a cylinder absorbent311 is inserted. The cylinder absorbent 311 is formed by foam sponge,for which a material having a good ink transferability is selected. Inother words, a good performance is required to effectively exhaust thewaste ink retained in the cylinder 304 to the outside.

The cylinder absorbent 311 is in contact with a waste ink absorbent 312arranged in the base 14. For the waste ink absorbent 312, a materialhaving a high ink retaining capability, such as a laminated sheet or apolymer absorbent, is used.

With the structure described above, the waste ink sucked from therecording head cartridge 1 is carried to the waste ink absorbent 312arranged in the base 14 through the cylinder 304 and cylinder absorbent311, and then retained in the waste ink absorbent 312.

Now, a description will be provided of the blade mechanism provided forcleaning the recording head for the maintenance or the recovery of theink discharge function of the recording head cartridge 1.

In FIG. 1, a reference numeral 302 designates a thin plate type bladeformed by an elastic material, such as urethane rubber, silicon rubber,chloroprene rubber. The lower part of the blade 302 is fixedly supportedby a blade holder, while the upper end is made free. The upper end ofthe blade 302 is formed in a length good enough to allow it to contactthe discharge port surface of the recording head cartridge 1 as therecording head cartridge 1 passes above such end when the carrier motor10 is driven. Therefore, when the discharge port surface of therecording head cartridge 1 is caused to pass above the blade 302, theupper end of the blade 302 abuts upon the discharge port surface of therecording head cartridge. Thus, the upper end of the blade 30 is bent,and rubs the discharge port surface while it is in contact with thesurface.

With this operation, the dust particles and other foreign substancesadhering to the circumference of the nozzles on the discharge portsurfaces are removed to make normal recording possible (or, to performthe intended wiping).

Further, the blade holder 308 is retracted to the location where it doesnot touch the discharge port surface while falling down in the directionaway from the cap 301 to move accordingly in that direction parting fromthe discharge port surface. The blade holder 308 is rotatively supportedon the base 14 to make this retraction possible.

In this respect, the structure is arranged as shown in FIG. 1, and whenthe carrier 2 moves to the right, the carrier 2 causes the bladereleasing lever 305 to move to the right so that the aforesaidretracting operation is performed.

Also, the structure is arranged so that from such state as describedabove, the carrier 2 moves in the opposite direction, that is, moves tothe left, and then, the extrusion (not shown) of the carrier 2 causesthe blade lever 310 to fall down to the left so as to release theretracting operation of the blade holder 308. In this way, the holder isallowed to return to the location where it is in contact with thedischarge port surface.

FIG. 7 is a chart describing this operation.

The view shown in the upper part of FIG. 7 represents the case where thecarrier moves to the right. The one shown in the lower part of FIG. 7represents the case where the carrier moves to the left. In both views,the ordinate axis indicates the height of the leading end of the blade302, and it abuts upon the discharge port surface when it ascends inthat direction. The abscissa axis indicates the positions of carrier 2.

Also, in FIG. 7, a horizontal line indicated as the discharge portsurface position represents the position of discharge port surface withrespect to the blade 302. When the leading end of the blade 302 residesabove such line (in the region indicated by dotted line in FIG. 7), theleading end of the blade 302 is bent to that extent in the bendingdirection to perform the wiping operation. In other words, the dottedline in FIG. 7 indicates the bending movement of the leading end of theblade 302, while being in contact with the discharge port surface, whenthe recording head cartridge is installed.

In the upper view of FIG. 7, when the carrier 2 moves in the right-handdirection, the contact between the blade 302 and the discharge portsurface begins at the point A (that is, the beginning of the wipingoperation indicated by the dotted line in FIG. 7 as described above).With the further movement of the carrier 2, the blade releasing leverbegins to fall down when the carrier 2 arrives at the point B. Then, theblade 302 is caused to part from the discharge port surface to terminatethe wiping operation.

In the lower view of FIG. 7, it is shown that the carrier 2 moves fromthe right end in the left-hand direction. At the point C, the extrusion(not shown) of the carrier 2 causes the blade lever 310 to fall down tothe right. Thus, the leading end of the blade 302 is allowed to returnto the original position where it is on standby for the next wipingoperation.

With the structure described above, when the carrier 2 moves to theright end in FIG. 1, the wiping operation of the discharge port surfaceof the recording head cartridge 1 is performed. Therefore, only if thisoperation is executed as required, is it possible to obtain recordedimages in normal condition.

Now, a description will be provided of the head that can be installed onthis apparatus.

In the descriptions so far, the example has been shown, in which therecording head cartridge 1 is detachably installed on the carrier 2 ofthe apparatus embodying the present invention. Regarding this aspect, afurther description will be provided in detail with reference to FIG. 3,FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10.

In particular, the recording head cartridge 1 is classified into twokinds. One is a monochromatic recording head unit 49 as shown in FIG. 8,and the other is a color recording head unit 50 as shown in FIG. 9.Further, as a third kind, there exists a scanner head 200 capable ofreading a source document to be inserted in place of the recording sheet22 as shown in FIG. 10. Therefore, a total of three kinds of heads canbe installed individually on the carrier 2 of the apparatus.Hereinafter, whenever those three kinds, namely, the monochromaticrecording head unit 49, the color recording heat unit 50, and thescanner head 200, are collectively referred to as a “head unit”.

At first, a description will be provided of the detachable installationof those three kinds of head units in accordance with FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view which shows the carrier 2 when none of theheads shown in FIG. 8 to FIG. 10 is installed on it.

On one end of the carrier 2, the cable terminal 3 a of the flexiblecable 3 is provided. With the cable terminal 3 a, each of the cableterminals 56 (see FIG. 8, FIG. 9 and FIG. 10) of the head units isconnected when either one of the monochromatic recording head unit 49,color recording head unit 50 and scanner head 200 is installed on thecarrier. The electrical connection with the head units is thenestablished through the terminals.

On the surface where the cable terminal 3 a of the carrier 2 resides,two extrusions 2 a and 2 b are arranged to position each of the headunits. In a state that the head unit is installed on the carrier 2, thehead positioning extrusion 2 a is fitted into the positioning cut-off 57on the head unit side, and the head positioning extrusion 2 b, into thepositioning hole 58 on the head unit side, respectively. Thus the headunit is exactly positioned with respect to the carrier 2.

Further, in a position facing the cable terminal 3 a on the carrier 2, acontact spring 28 is arranged. To the leading end thereof, a head guide29 formed by resin is fixed. In other words, the head guide 29 iselastically supported by the carrier 2.

In a state that the head unit is installed on the carrier 2, the headguide 29 biases the head unit 48 to the cable terminal 3 a side. Thusthe electrical connection is established between the cable terminal 3 aand the head terminal.

Also, the head guide 29 makes it possible to detachably install the headunit by bending itself when the head units are exchanged, and also, toprovide a function that it can support the installed head unit 48 so asnot to allow it to be off in the upward direction.

With the structure described above, when the user replaces the headunits, the head terminal 56 side of the head unit is inserted so that itfaces the cable terminal 3 a of the carrier 2, and then, the uppersurface of the head unit 48 is pressed downward. The head guide 29 isbeing bent, and when the user feels the clicking sense, the installationof the head unit is completed. The electrical connection is alsocompleted at that time.

Also, when the head unit is removed, the head unit detaching operators51 a, 53 a, or 200 a arranged for the head unit can be pulled up byfingers. Then the head guide 29 is bent to enable the head unit to beremoved from the carrier 2.

Now, in conjunction with FIG. 8, FIG. 9, and FIG. 10, the head unitswill be described.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view which shows a monochromatic recording headunit 49 for use in printing a monochrome color (usually, in black). InFIG. 8, a reference numeral 51 designates the monochromatic recordinghead cartridge. On the front part of this recording head cartridge 51,the discharge port surface 51 b is formed to provide the nozzle unit fordischarging ink for recording. A reference numeral 56 designates thehead terminal to receive electric signals for discharging ink. Theelectric signals are transmitted from the printer unit 401 to themonochromatic recording head cartridge 51 through the head terminal 56.Then, in FIG. 8, ink is discharged downward from the nozzles arrangedfor the discharge port surface 51 b to perform recording. The referencenumeral 57 designates the positioning cut-off and 58, the positioninghole. These positioning cut-off 57 and positioning hole 58 assure theexact positioning with respect to the carrier 2 when being coupled withthe head unit positioning extrusions 2 a and 2 b.

A reference numeral 52 designates a monochromatic ink tank. In itsinterior, ink is retained. The monochromatic ink tank 52 is detachablyfixed to the monochromatic recording head cartridge 51 by means of itslatch unit 52 a. Also, the monochromatic ink tank 52 and themonochromatic recording head cartridge 51 form an ink path by means ofthe detachable joint unit (not shown).

Therefore, when ink is completely consumed by recording, and no inkremains in the monochromatic ink tank 52, the monochromatic ink tank 52is removed from the monochromatic recording head cartridge 51 by bendingthe latch unit 52 a. Then a new monochromatic ink tank 52 is installedto continue recording.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view which shows a color recording head unit 50for recording in colors.

Here, the differences with the monochromatic recording head unit 49 willbe described. On the discharge port surface 53 b, four kinds of nozzlegroups are arranged individually to discharge four different colors,yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, in order to perform color recording. Areference numeral 54 designates a black ink tank. In this black ink tank54, black ink is retained. Through the detachable joint (not shown),this ink tank is coupled with the black nozzle group arranged on thedischarge port surface 53 b described above.

Also, a reference numeral 55 designates a color ink tank. The interiorof the color ink tank 55 is divided into three individual volumes. Ineach of them, yellow ink, magenta ink, and cyan ink are retained,respectively. Like the black ink tank 54, the color ink tank 55 isarranged to connect yellow ink to the yellow nozzle group, magenta inkto the magenta nozzle group, and cyan ink to the cyan nozzle group,respectively, through each of the individually detachable joints (notshown).

A reference numeral 54 a designates a latch unit for replacing black inktanks 54, and 55 a, and a latch unit for replacing the color ink tanks55.

As described above, with the color recording head unit 50 installed onthe printer unit 401, color recording can be performed. At the sametime, if black ink is completely consumed, only the black ink tank 54need be replaced. If either one of yellow, magenta, and cyan, or all ofthem are completely consumed, only the color ink tank need be replaced.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the scanner head 200, which willbe described later in detail.

In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, a reference mark X designates the distance fromthe positioning cut-off 57 to the discharge port surfaces 51 b and 53 b.This distance represents one and the same value both for themonochromatic recording head cartridge 51 and the color recording headcartridge 53, which is approximately 13 mm in accordance with thepresent invention. In contrast, a reference mark Y in FIG. 10 designatesthe distance from the positioning cut-off 57 to the reading unit surface200 b of the scanner head 200, which is set to be shorter. This distanceis approximately 9 mm in accordance with the present invention.

This value Y is plotted in the charts describing the operation of thecap 301 and that of the blade 302 in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, and representedby the horizontal line indicated as the reading portion surface. Here,the difference in the vertical direction of the horizontal linesindicating the discharge port surface position and the reading portionsurface is equivalent to 4 mm, which is the difference between 13 mm and9 mm described above.

From FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, it is understandable that when the scanner head200 is installed, neither the cap 301 nor the blade 302 is in contactwith the reading portion surface 200 b of the scanner head 200 even ifthe capping and wiping operations are conducted.

As the result of such structural formation, it is possible to preventthe reading portion surface 200 b from being contaminated by theink-stained cap 301 and blade 302 when the scanner head 200 isinstalled.

Further, with reference to FIG. 11 to FIG. 14, a description will beprovided of another embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatuscapable of preventing ink from adhering to an image reading head by themembers abutting upon the ink jet recording head when the image readinghead is installed on the ink jet recording apparatus for use.

A reference numeral 602 designates a carriage to install a recordinghead (not shown) or reading heads 601 and 604, and a carriage motor todrive the carriage 602. The carriage 602 can travel in the main scanningdirection along the shaft 603. The reference position of the carriage602 is determined when the carriage extrusion 602 a arranged therefor isdetected by the reference position sensor 624. Hence, by means of thepositional control to be executed by an encoder 605 based on thisreference, the recording range or the reading range is decided.

On the plane facing the carriage 602, a feeding unit 607 is arranged. Arecording sheet or a source document to be read passes the gap thusarranged. Both ends of the feeding unit 607 are supported by a chassis608. This unit comprises two feed rollers 610, a pinch roller 611 andspurs 612 arranged adjacent to each other; and a feed motor 614.

Also, adjacent to the feeding unit 607, a recording head recovery unit631 is provided. The cap 631 a, which is incorporated in the recordinghead recovery unit 631, covers the ink discharge surface of nozzles ofthe recording head. Then ink is sucked from the recording head torecover the discharging function of the recording head. Also, a blade631 b arranged on the side thereof wipes and removes ink adhering to therecording head.

At first, a description will be provided of the case where the recordinghead is installed on the carriage 602.

When there is no input of recording data, the carriage 602 is on standbyin the recovery position (at R in FIG. 11) that faces the recording headrecovery unit 631. The recording head is covered by the cap 631 a in anair-tight manner. When there is an input of recording data, the cap 631a is retracted from the recording head by means of a motor driving (notshown). Here, the carriage 602 travels in the direction toward thefeeding unit 607. At this juncture, its reference position is recognizedby means of the reference position recognition sensor 624. Thereafter,the recording width is decided in accordance with the reference position(at H in FIG. 11) thus recognized. Then, recording is performed on arecording sheet. Here, with the input of recording data, the recordingsheet is fed by an amount equivalent to the recording nozzle width ofthe recording head. The carriage 602 scans on the feeding unit 607 perline and performs recording.

When the recording is completed, the carriage 602 returns to thereference position H. If there is no input of next recording data withina specific period of time, the carriage 602 moves to the recoveryposition R where it is covered by the cap 631 in an air-tight manner.Also, at that time, the blade 631 b of the recording head recovery unit631 is in contact with the moving recording head to clean the dischargesurface of the recording nozzles of the recording head.

Also, particularly, with a manual recovery conducted for recovering therecording quality, the carriage 602 moves to the recovery position toperform ink suction by means of a pump (not shown).

In accordance with the present embodiment arranged as described above,the scanning range needed for recording is a range designated by areference mark L1 in FIG. 11.

Now, a description will be provided of the case where the reading head601 is installed on the carriage 602.

The recording head and the reading head 601 are exchanged when thecarriage 602 is at the reference position H to which the carriage 602moves according to the head exchanging command to be issued.

In the recording head, resistor chips having different resistance valuesare buried. A controller (not shown) of the apparatus main body readsthe ID indicated by the resistor chips through the head contact, thusdetecting the presence of the reading head 601 installed on the carriage602. In this respect, the detection of the ID may be conducted by meansof the ON/OFF operation of a microswitch or some other means, forexample, although it can be detected by the application of theresistance value of the resistor chips as described above.

When the controller recognizes the installation of the reading head 601on the carriage 602, it controls the carriage 602 so as not to allow thecarriage to enter the recording head recovery unit 631 side from thereference position in accordance with the position detecting signalsfrom the reference position detecting sensor 624 and the encoder 605 aswell. As a result, there is no possibility that the carriage 602 movesto the recovery position R even when there is no input of recordingdata. Here, if a reading command is issued, a recording sheet is fed byan amount equivalent to the reading width of the reading head 601. Thecarriage scans on the feeding unit 607 per line to perform reading. Whenthe reading operation is completed, the carriage returns to thereference position H to be on standby for the next operation.

In the situation described above, the traveling range of the carriage602 required to perform reading is a range indicated at L2. Therefore,on reading, the reading head 602 is not in contact with the blade 631 bor the cap 631 a of the recording head recovery unit 631, thus making itpossible for the reading head 601 to perform its reading without causingany contamination of the lens, the lamp, and other components of itsreading unit due to ink stains, and to obtain read-out images in goodcondition.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a part of the control of the controllerof the apparatus main body in accordance with the embodiment describedabove, which deals with the operation to set the different recordingranges in accordance with operational modes.

At first, the controller confirms the current operational mode (stepS601). It if is in the recording mode, the controller confirms thepresence of the recording head installed on the recording head (stepS602). If no recording head is installed, an indication is made toinstruct exchanging the head with a recording head (step S603). In thestep S602, if it is confirmed that a recording head is alreadyinstalled, the recording range (at L1 in FIG. 11) in the recording modeshould be defined. After that, the presence and absence of data to berecorded are confirmed (step S605), and then recording is executed (stepS606).

Also, in the step S601, if it is confirmed that the current mode is forreading, the installation of a reading head 601 should be examined. Ifno reading head 601 is installed, an indication is made to instructexchanging the head with a reading head 601 (step S608). In the stepS607, if it is confirmed that a reading head 601 is already installed,the traveling range (at L2 in FIG. 11) for the reading mode should bedefined (step S609). After that, the presence and absence of the readingcommand is confirmed (step S610), and then reading is performed (stepS611).

FIG. 13 is a view showing the principal part of another embodiment ofthe embodiment represented in FIG. 11. In accordance with the presentembodiment, a stopper lever 631 c, which can be extrusive in thedirection of the carriage 602 by the control of the controller of theapparatus main body, is provided for the recording head recovery unit631 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12. All the other structures are thesame as those shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12. The same reference marksappearing in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are applied to them, and a descriptionthereof will be omitted.

When the controller of the apparatus main body confirms the installationof the reading head 601, it causes a motor (not shown) to be driven sothat the stopper lever 631 c can extrude in the direction of carriage602. The motor functions dually as a motor to cause the cap 631 a toascend or descend, and its operation is switched over depending on therotational direction thereof.

The stopper lever 631 c that blocks the carriage 602 is arranged in alocation closer to the center of the apparatus than the cap 631 a.Therefore, the traveling range of the carriage 602 is more greatlyregulated than the traveling range at L2 shown in FIG. 11.

The controlling operation of the controller of the embodimentrepresented in FIG. 13 is such that when the installation of the readinghead is confirmed in the step S607 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 14,the stopper lever 631 c is extruded in the direction of the carriage602, and then, in the step S601, the process proceeds to theconfirmation of a scanning command. All the steps are the same as thoseappearing in the flowchart shown in FIG. 14.

In accordance with the embodiment represented in FIG. 13, the regulationof the traveling range is executed by a mechanical control in additionto the regulation by means of the positional detection as in theembodiment represented in FIG. 11. Therefore, even if the control shouldfail, the power-supply is cut off, or if a similar event is encountered,the carriage 602 does not abut upon the recording head recovery unit631, hence making it possible to regulate the traveling range of thecarriage 602 more reliably.

FIGS. 19(A and B) are cross-sectional views and perspective viewsshowing the scanner head 200.

In FIG. 19B, a reference numeral 206 designates the LED used forilluminating the surface of a source document 209. The LED rays 207emitted from the LED 206 illuminate the surface of the source document209 through the LED aperture 211 (shown in FIG. 19(A)). The optical pathof the image rays 208 from the surface of the source document 209 isbent at right angles by means of a mirror 203 after passing a field lens204 provided for the sensor aperture 212, then, passing the focusinglens, the images are formed on the sensor 202.

The center of the sensor aperture 212 is larger than the distance fromthe positioning surface where the ink discharge ports 213 of eachrecording head, the monochromatic recording head 51 and the colorrecording head 53, are positioned with respect to the carrier 2. Inaccordance with the present embodiment, there is a gap of approximately4 mm.

The LED 206 and sensor 202 are electrically connected, and drawn outexternally by means of a printed circuit board 205. For the headterminal 56 of the printed circuit board 205, an electrode is arranged,which is in contact under pressure with the electrode of the carrier 2(not shown) to transmit signals to the controller on the apparatus mainbody.

The outer appearance of the scanner head 200 is in the sameconfiguration as the recording head cartridge 1 having an ink tank 8installed in it. Like the recording head cartridge 1, the scanner headcan be installed on the carrier 2 by means of the latch of a nail 210formed as a part of the external constituents of the scanner head. Also,when removing the scanner head, the latch of the nail 210 is released bylifting the head attachment 200 a. This arrangement facilitates theremoval of the scanner head.

When the scanner head is installed on the carrier 2, a CPU 502 reads theprinting head cartridge/scanner recognition signal through the printedcircuit board 205, and enters the scanning mode. This operation will bedescribed later in detail in conjunction with FIG. 23.

When the CPU 502 receives scanner reading signals from an applicationcurrently executed, the key board 402, the external interface 405, orthe like, the CPU causes the automatic sheet feeder 100 or the sheetfeeding motor 23 to be driven to convey a source document to a givenposition for reading as in the case of a recording sheet 22. Then, afterilluminating the LED 206, the CPU reads the image signals through thescanner driver 513, while driving the carrier motor 10.

Here, it is possible to change the driving speeds of the carrier motor10 for reading a source document depending on the modes of the scannerhead 200. The modes are defined by the combinations of the readingresolution and the gradation of each reading value. The printer unit 401has a resolution of 360 dpi in the main scanning direction, and theresolution of the sensor 202 of the scanner head 200 is 360 dpi in thesub-scanning direction, thus obtaining an output of 64 gradations.Therefore, it is possible to execute reading in two gradations, forexample, with 90 dpi in the main scanning direction and 90 dpi in thesub-scanning direction, each obtainable from the reading of 64gradations of 360 dpi in the main scanning direction and 360 dpi in thesub-scanning direction. Also, a reading may be arranged at a resolutionof 200 dpi in the main scanning direction or in a mode in which theconformity with FAX is considered. For the mode that requires a greatamount of data, such as the reading of 64 gradations of 360 dpi in themain scanning direction and 360 dpi in the sub-scanning direction, ittakes time to process and transfer such data. Consequently, the carrierdriving speed should be made slower, while the carrier speed is madefaster for the reading of two gradations each with 90 dpi in the mainscanning direction and 90 dpi in the sub-scanning direction. When areading is completed for one line, the reading for the next line isperformed after feeding the recording sheet for the correspondingportion by means of the sheet feeding motor 23. Such operation isrepeated to the last line of a source document.

It is unnecessary to set the standby position for the carrier 2 havingthe scanner head 200 installed on it in the same position in which thecarrier 2 should be on standby when it has the recording head cartridge1 installed on it. If only the reading portion surface 200 b of thescanner head 200 is configured so that it can avoid colliding with therecovery unit 300 (a blade 302 and a cap 301) for performing themaintenance of the recording head cartridge 1, it may be possible toshift the standby position of the scanner head to the recovery unit 300side, and then, utilize the movable zone thus created for the idlerunning zone in order to increase the running stability of the carrier2. In accordance with the present embodiment, the line segment 214 inFIG. 2 is the stopping position of the carrier 2 when it installs thescanner head 200 on it.

Also, the white reference 9 is arranged with a reflectance having thereflection density of 0.1 or less as a reference for the purpose ofspecifying the image signal level as shown in FIG. 1. The CPU 502 causesthe carrier 2 having the scanner head 200 installed on it to move to aposition above the white reference 9, and then, causes the LED 206 toilluminate for reading the signals from the sensor 202, thus making themthe standard of the image signals. Also, the timing that the CPU 502checks the white reference may be set either immediately after theinstallation of the scanner head 200, immediately before reading asource document, or in the way of reading the source document.

The embodiment represented in FIG. 15 to FIG. 18 relates to an ink jetrecording apparatus capable of discriminating the contaminated conditionof the white reference by comparing a plurality of white referenceswhose degrees of contamination are different with the arrangement of thewhite references that provide the standard of the reading level of anoptically reading means on the traveling path of a carrier facing suchreading means.

As shown in FIG. 15, a white reference 9 that indicates the brightnessstandard is arranged outside the printing area for the purpose ofdealing with the deterioration due to age that changes the levels of thereading sensor and the illumination lamp, while the white reference 709is arranged within the printing area.

In the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 15, most of thedischarged ink adheres to a recording sheet, but an extremely smallamount thereof becomes mist, and floats in the vicinity of the recordinghead 1. Therefore, when the apparatus is used for a long time, it alsoadheres to the interior of the recording apparatus. The white reference9 arranged outside the printing area also changes its white standardlevel due to the adhesion of such mist.

However, the white reference 709 arranged within the printing area islocated on the lower side of a recording sheet P. As a result, thepossibility is smaller that this white reference will be contaminated byink mist. Therefore, by comparing the levels of the white reference 9and the white reference 709, it is determined whether or not there isany contamination brought about by ink mist. Then, if the whitereference 9 is found darker than a predetermined value, an indication ismade to promote the cleaning of the white reference.

Meanwhile, although extremely limited, there are some cases whenprinting is erroneously conducted by an ink jet recording apparatus onthe platen 14 without the presence of any recording sheet because of amalfunction resulting from paper jamming or the like. In such case, thewhite reference 709 is also stained. However, the other white reference9 is arranged outside the printing area. Therefore, no printing is madeon it at that time. Thus, if the white reference 709 is found to bedarker than a predetermined value after comparing the levels of thewhite reference 9 and white reference 709, it is interpreted thatprinting is conducted on the platen. Then, an indication is made topromote the cleaning of the white reference.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are flowcharts showing a control operation todiscriminate the contaminated degrees of each of the white referencesdescribed above.

At first, as shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, if a recording sheet is foundto be set in the printing area in step S701, an alarm is given (stepS702). In the step S701, if no sheet is found to be set, the carrierhaving the scanner unit installed on it is caused to scan over theentire traveling range in order to detect the contamination of the whitereferences, and read each of the white references arranged in and out ofthe printing area (steps S703 and S704).

Then, in step S705, if the difference between the read-out output A andthe read-out output B is found to be greater than the setting value α,it is interpreted that the white reference outside the printing area isstained. Then an alarm is activated (step S706) until it is decided(step S707) that the white reference outside the printing area is to becleaned.

In step S707, it is decided that the cleaning is carried out, and then,the white reference outside the printing area is cleaned (in step S708).After that, it is determined whether or not the cleaning is completedwhen a set period of time has elapsed (step S709). When the cleaning iscompleted, the process will return to the usual standby mode (stepS710).

On the other hand, if the difference between the read-out output A andthe read-out output B is not greater than the setting value α, and thedifference between the read-out output A and the read-out output B isfound to be smaller than the setting value −α in step S711, it isinterpreted that the white reference in the printing area is stained,and the alarm is activated (step S712) until it is decided that thewhite reference in the printing area should be cleaned (step S713).After that, the process is executed in the same manner as the aforesaidsteps S708 to S710. Here, the levels of the white reference 9 and thewhite reference 709 are compared, and if the white reference 709 isfound to be darker than the predetermined value, it is interpreted thatprinting is conducted on the platen erroneously, thus indicating toprompt the cleaning of this white reference.

In accordance with the present embodiment, the white references arearranged in the locations in and out of the printing area as describedabove. Thus, it is possible to discriminate the degrees of thecontamination of the white references even if the reading levels of thesensor changes.

FIG. 17 is a side view which schematically shows a cartridge forcleaning the platen.

In FIG. 17, the platen cleaning cartridge 724 is used by exchanging itwith the head cartridge. On the portion corresponding to the printingunit of the head cartridge, a cleaning member formed by sponge or someother ink absorbent is arranged. The cleaning member 725 is supported bya lever 726, and by means of a spring 727, it is biased so that it canbe retained in the cleaning cartridge. The other end of the lever 726 isarranged to be pressed by the side wall of the carrier when thecartridge is installed on the carrier. In this respect, if the cleaningmember 725 is not installed on the carrier, this member is fittinglyretained in the cartridge, and when the cartridge is installed on thecarrier, the cleaning member 725 appears in a given position.

If it is determined that two white references should be cleaned, anindication is made to prompt the user to install the cleaning cartridgein place of the head cartridge of a recording apparatus.

The recording apparatus main body is arranged to discriminate theinstallation of the cleaning cartridge 724 in order to effectuate thecleaning mode. In the cleaning mode, the carrier is driven toreciprocate several times in the main scanning direction for wiping offink adhering to the platen. In this mode, the scanning is conducted onlywithin the printing area for the protection of the cap, which isarranged on the platen side and used for capping the printing unit ofthe recording head.

FIG. 18 is a side view which schematically shows another embodiment ofthe image reading cartridge in accordance with the embodimentrepresented in FIG. 17.

As shown in FIG. 18, the image reading cartridge 729 is integrallyformed with a platen cleaning member 725.

The cleaning member 725 is installed in the vicinity of the imagereading sensor 731, and the leading end thereof ascends or descends dueto the functioning of a solenoid.

Since the platen cleaning device is integrally provided for the imagereading device, it is possible to clean the platen automatically ifthere is no sheet on the platen when determining the contaminated degreeof the white reference. Here, even when a sheet is still set on theprinter, it is possible to clean the platen immediately if the onlyindication to that effect is shown to prompt the operator to remove thesheet.

In accordance with the present embodiment, the recording apparatus canrecord on a recording sheet by means of the recording head cartridge 1,and also, read a source document by means of the scanner head 200 asdescribed above. Therefore, it is to be understood in the descriptiongiven below that unless the description is limited only to recording,the term “recording sheet 22” is meant to include a source document.

Now, with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 20, and FIG. 21, an automatic sheetfeeder 100 will be described. In FIG. 1, the automatic sheet feeder 100is fixed on the upstream side of the sheet feed roller 6 in theconveying direction of a recording sheet 22.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view which shows the automatic sheet feeder 100of a recording apparatus represented in FIG. 1, observed in the sheetconveying direction. Also, FIGS. 21(A) to (D) are cross-sectional viewsof the automatic sheet feeder 100 represented in FIG. 20; FIG. 21(A) isa cross-sectional view of a sheet stopper unit; FIG. 21(B) is across-sectional view of a separation roller unit; and FIG. 21(C) is across-sectional view of a preliminary roller unit; and FIG. 21(D) is across-sectional view of a sheet feeding initial sensor unit. Here, inFIGS. 21(A) and (D), upstream of the conveying direction of therecording sheet 22 is shown on the left-hand side, and in FIGS. 21(B)and (C), upstream of the conveying direction of the recording sheet 22is shown on the right-hand side.

A main holder 111 is fixed on the ink jet recording apparatus to supportall the components of the automatic sheet feeder 100. The recordingsheets 22 are stacked on a sheet feeding guide unit 14a of the base 14.

A cylindrical rubber separation roller 105, which separates therecording sheets 22 one by one and feeds each sheet to the contactsurface of a sheet feeding roller 6 and a pinch roller 7 (hereinafterreferred to as “sheet feeding inlet”), is press fitted over a separationroller shaft 113 formed integrally with a gear portion 113 a and cam 113b. The separation roller 105 and the separation roller shaft 113 canrotate together.

The separation roller shaft 113 is rotatively supported by a separationroller holder 106. The separation roller holder 106 is axially androtatively supported by a separation roller shaft 118 supported by themain holder 111. For the separation roller holder 106, a spring hook isprovided, and between the hook and the main holder 111, a separationroller spring 107 is tensioned. The separation roller holder 106 is thenbiased in the direction indicated by an arrow P in (B) in FIG. 21.

The outer circumference of the cam 113 b of the separation roller shaft113 abuts upon the cam receiver 111 a of the separation roller shaft toregulate the rotation of the separation roller holder 106 in thedirection indicated by the arrow P.

When the maximum cam radius portion 113 c of the separation roller shaft113 abuts upon the cam receiver 111 a of the separation roller shaft,the separation roller 105 is in a position parting from the separatingsheets 112 to form a supply path between the separation roller 105 andthe separating sheet 112. When the minimum cam radius portion 113 d ofthe separation roller shaft 113 abuts upon the cam receiver 111 a of theseparation roller shaft, the separation roller 105 is able to be incontact with the separating sheet 112. At this juncture, if a recordingsheet 22 is present between the separation roller 105 and separatingsheet 112, it is possible to feed the recording sheet 22 to the sheetfeeding inlet of the recording apparatus. The cylindrical rubberpreliminary roller 108 feeds the top sheet of several recording sheets22 stacked on the sheet guide unit 14 a to the separation roller 105.The preliminary roller is press fitted over a preliminary roller shaft114 formed integrally with a gear unit 114 a and cam 114. Thepreliminary roller 108 and the preliminary roller shaft 114 can rotatetogether.

The preliminary roller shaft 114 is rotatively supported by apreliminary roller holder 109. The preliminary holder 109 is axially androtatively supported by the main shaft 117 supported by the main holder111. For the preliminary roller holder 109, a spring hook is provided,and between the hook and the main holder 111, a preliminary rollerspring 110 is tensioned. The preliminary roller holder 109 is thenbiased in the direction indicated by an arrow Q in (C) in FIG. 21.

The outer circumference of the cam 114 b of the preliminary roller shaft114 abuts upon the cam receiver 111 b of the preliminary roller shaft toregulate the rotation of the preliminary roller holder 109 in thedirection indicated by the arrow Q.

When the maximum cam radius portion 114 c of the preliminary rollershaft 114 abuts upon the cam receiver 111 b of the preliminary rollershaft, the preliminary roller 108 is in a position parting from theseparating sheet 112 to form a supply path between the preliminaryroller 108 and separating sheet 112. When the minimum cam radius portion114d of the preliminary roller shaft 114 abuts upon the cam receiver 111b of the preliminary roller shaft, the preliminary roller 108 is able tobe in contact with the separating sheet 112. At this juncture, if arecording sheet 22 is present between the preliminary roller 108 andseparating sheet 112, it is possible to feed the recording sheet 22 tothe sheet feeding inlet of the recording apparatus.

A motor pinion (not shown) is installed on the leading end of the outputshaft of an automatic sheet feeding motor 101, and fixed when engagingwith the nail 115 a of a gear box 115 that houses a speed reduction geartrain 103 formed by a plurality of two staged gear trains. The automaticsheet feeding motor 101 is a pulse motor to be bipolar driven with twophased excitation, which completes one cycle by twenty steps. Also, theratio of the total gears of speed reduction is approximately 1:74 fromthe automatic sheet feeding motor 101 to the driving gear 116. Thedriving force of the automatic sheet feeding motor 101, which istransmitted through the speed reduction gear train 103, is transmittedto the gear portion 114 a of the preliminary roller shaft 114 via adriving gear mechanism. On both ends of the driving gear mechanism, gearunits 116 a and 116 b are provided, and the driving force from theautomatic sheet feeding motor 101 is transmitted to the gear unit 116 a,while the transmission of the driving force to the gear unit 114 a ofthe preliminary roller shaft 114 is conducted by means of the gear unit116 b. The gear ratio between the gear unit 116 b and the gear unit 114a of the preliminary roller shaft is 1:1. When the driving gearmechanism completes one rotation, the preliminary roller shaft 114 alsocompletes one rotation. Further, the gear unit 116 b of the driving gearmechanism also transmits the driving force to the gear unit 113 a of theseparation roller shaft 113 through a separation idle gear 119 and aseparation double gear 120. Then, the gear ratio between the gear unit116 b of the driving gear mechanism and the gear unit 113 a of theseparation roller shaft 13 is 1:1 as in the case of the gear unit 114 aof the preliminary roller shaft 114. When the driving gear mechanismcompletes one rotation, the separation roller shaft 113 also completesone rotation.

When the separation roller 105 and the preliminary roller 108 are bothin the positions where these rollers do not abut upon the separatingsheets 112 (hereinafter referred to as “non-operative position”; also,the position where these rollers are in contact with the separatingsheet 112 is referred to as “operative position”), a sheet topper 104defines the leading position of a recording sheet 22 at the time thatthe operator sets the recording sheet 22. This stopper engages with thesheet topper shaft 111 c of the main holder 111. By means of a sheetstopper spring 121, the stopper is biased in the direction indicated byan arrow S in FIG. 21(A).

The driving gear mechanism is provided with a sheet stopper cam 116 c.On a portion of the sheet stopper 104 that faces the sheet stopper cam116 c, a cam unit 104 a is formed. Usually, the cam unit 104 a and thesheet stopper cam 116 c are not in contact with each other in itsinitial positions. At this juncture, the leading end 104 b of the sheetstopper 104 is inserted into the sheet stopper hole 14 b of the sheetguide unit 14 a on the base 14 arranged in the lower part of theautomatic sheet feeder 100. The structure is arranged so that therecording sheet 22 is not allowed to advance beyond the sheet stopper104.

Also, the leading end 104 b of the sheet stopper 104 forms a circularshape centering on the sheet stopper shaft 111 c of the main holder 111.This configuration is provided in order to prevent the sheet stopper 104from being subjected to the floating force exerted by the advancingforce of the recording sheet 22. Further, when the driving gearmechanism rotates, the supply path is formed by the gap created betweenthe sheet guide unit 14 a of the base 14 and the sheet stopper 104 asshown in FIG. 14A while the sheet stopper cam 116 c lifts the cam unit104 a of the sheet stopper. Here, in the sheet stopper 104, the positionwhere the leading end 104 b enters the sheet stopper hole 14 b isreferred to as “non-operative position”, while the position where thegap is created between the sheet stopper and the sheet guide 14 a isreferred to as “operative position”.

Now, a description will be provided of the detection of the initialposition (home position) of the automatic sheet feeder 100. As shown inFIG. 20 and FIG. 21(D), in a location on the driving gear mechanism thatfaces the detection unit 102 a of the sheet feed initial sensor 102, theinitial position detection cam 116 d is arranged. This initial positiondetection cam 116 d causes the sheet feed initial sensor 102 to outputan ON signal when the initial position detection cam 116 d parts onceround from the detection unit 102 a of the sheet feed initial sensor102. Also, the structure is arranged so that the sheet feed initialsensor 102 is caused to output an OFF signal when the initial positiondetection cam 116 depresses the detection unit 102 a. On the basis ofthe ON (OFF) signal from the sheet feeding initial sensor 102, theinitial position (home position) of the automatic sheet feeder 100 isdetected.

Now, the series of the operation of the automatic sheet feeder 100structured as above will be described with reference to FIG. 21 to FIG.26. FIGS. 21 to 25 are views showing the operations of the parts shownin FIG. 21 as time elapses. FIG. 26 is a timing chart of each element.

The operation of the automatic sheet feeder 100 is divided into anautomatic sheet feeding mode where the recording sheets 22 stacked onthe sheet guide unit 14 a is separated one by one for feeding, and amanual insertion mode where the operator himself directly supplies arecording sheet 22 into the sheet inlet for feeding. At first, theautomatic sheet feeding mode will be described.

Automatic Sheet Feeding Mode

FIGS. 21(A)-(D) show the condition in the home position before anyrecording sheet 22 is set. At this juncture, each element of theautomatic sheet feeder 100 is in the state at (1) in FIG. 26.

(A) The sheet topper 104 is inserted into the sheet stopper hole 14 b ofthe sheet guide unit 14 a of the base 14. Therefore, the leading end ofthe recording sheets 22 stacked on the sheet guide unit 14 a ispositioned by the sheet stopper 104.

(B) The maximum radius portion 113 c of the cam of the cam unit 113 b ofthe separation roller shaft 113 abuts upon the cam receiver 111 a of theseparation shaft, and the separation roller 105 in the non-operativeposition.

(C) The maximum radius portion 114 c of the cam of the cam unit 114 b ofthe preliminary roller shaft 114 abuts upon the cam receiver 111 b ofthe preliminary roller shaft, and the preliminary roller 108 is in thenon-operative position as the separation roller 105.

(D) The initial position detection cam 116 d of the driving gearmechanism parts from the detection unit 102 a of the sheet initialsensor 102. Thus, an ON signal is output from sheet initial sensor 102.

FIG. 22 shows the state that the automatic sheet feeding motor 101starts its rotation, and the driving gear mechanism rotates atapproximately 43 degrees from the home position. This is also theinitial position of the manual insertion mode. At this juncture, eachelement of the automatic sheet feeder 100 is at the state (2) in FIG.26.

(A) The sheet stopper 104 is retracted from the sheet stopper hole 14 bof the sheet guide unit 14 a of the base 14 and is in the non-operativeposition, and forms the supply path between the stopper and the sheetguide unit 14 a.

(B) The separation roller 105 is still in the non-operative position.

(C) The preliminary roller 108 is also in the non-operative position.

(D) The initial position detection cam 116 d of the driving gearmechanism rotates to depress the detection unit 102 of the sheet initialsensor 102. Thus the OFF signal is output from the sheet initial sensor102.

FIG. 23 shows the state that the automatic sheet feeding motor 101further rotates to cause the driving gear mechanism to rotate atapproximately 93 degrees from the home position. At this juncture, eachelement of the automatic sheet feeder 100 is at the state (3) in FIG.26.

(A) The sheet stopper 104 is in the non-operative position as describedabove.

(B) The separation roller 105 abuts upon the sheet 112 to be separatedon the sheet guide unit 14 a preceding the preliminary roller 108, andis in the operative position.

(C) The preliminary roller 108 is still in the non-operative position.The recording sheet 22 is still in the initial position and yet to beconveyed. The reason why the separation roller 105 is placed in theoperative position earlier is that the separation mechanism of theseparation unit is set definitely before the feeding of the recordingsheet 22 takes place by means of the preliminary roller 105 so as toavoid any overlapped feeding of the recording sheets 22.

(D) The initial position detection cam 116 d of the driving gearmechanism depresses the detection unit 102 a of the sheet initial sensor102 as described above to cause the sheet initial sensor 102 to outputthe OFF signal.

FIG. 24 shows the state that the automatic sheet feeder 100 furtherrotates, and the driving gear mechanism rotates at approximately 129degrees from the home position. At this juncture, the automatic sheetfeeder 100 is at the state (4) in FIG. 26.

(A) The sheet stopper 104 is in the non-operative position as describedabove.

(B) The separation roller 104 is in the non-operative position asdescribed above.

(C) The preliminary roller 108 is in the operative position as describedabove. The feeding of the recording sheet 22 begins. When a plurality ofrecording sheets 22 are present on the separating sheet 112, thefriction coefficient between the preliminary roller 108 and therecording sheet 22 is greater than the friction coefficient between therecording sheets 22. Therefore, only the recording sheet 22 on the topthereof begins to be fed. Also, the friction coefficient between theseparating sheet 112 and the recording sheet 22 is greater than thefriction coefficient between the recording sheets 22. Therefore, thereis no possibility that a plurality of recording sheets 22 are fed at atime. Here, provided that:

the friction coefficient between the preliminary roller 108 and therecording sheet 22 is denoted by μy,

the friction coefficient between the recording sheets is denoted by μk,and

the friction coefficient between the recording sheet 22 and theseparating sheet is noted by μmb,

the relationship between them is:

μy>μk>μmb

(D) The initial position detection cam 116 d of the driving mechanismdepresses the detection unit 102 a of the sheet initial sensor 102 asdescribed above to cause the sheet initial sensor 102 to output an OFFsignal.

FIG. 25 shows the state that the automatic sheet feeding 101 furtherrotates, and the driving gear mechanism rotates at approximately 233degrees. At this juncture, each element of the automatic sheet feeder100 is at the state (5) in FIG. 26.

(A) The sheet topper 104 is in the non-operative position as describedabove.

(B) The separation roller 105 is in the operative position as describedabove. The recording sheet 22 is beyond the separating portion, andbeing fed by means of the separation roller 105 toward the sheet inletof the recording apparatus.

(C) The preliminary roller 108 begins to be in the non-operativeposition. The reason why the preliminary roller 108 is brought to be inthe non-operative position earlier is the same as the descriptionreferring to the state shown in FIG. 23. The preliminary roller 108 isplaced in the non-operative position earlier so that before theseparation mechanism of the separation unit is released, the preliminaryroller 108 is suspended to feed the recording sheet 22, thus avoidingany overlapping feed of recording sheets 22.

(D) The initial position detection cam 116 d of the driving gearmechanism depresses the detection unit 102 a of the sheet initial sensor102 to cause the sensor 102 to output an OFF signal as described above.

After that, the process returns to the state shown in FIG. 21 tocomplete the one cycle of the operation. The apparatus of the presentinvention is small. The diameters of the separation roller 105 and thepreliminary roller 108 is small, accordingly. As a result, the cycleoperation is not sufficient to bring the recording sheet 22 to the sheetinlet. Usually, it is required to perform a four-cycle feeding for thepurpose.

Also, the sheet sensor 25 (see FIG. 1) arranged in the vicinity of thesheet inlet detects whether or not the recording sheet 22 has been fednormally toward the sheet inlet. When the presence of the recordingsheet is detected at the time of the driving gear mechanism havingrotated at approximately 115 degrees from the initial position that isthe second-cycle state between those represented in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23.Then, the automatic sheet feeding motor 101 is further driven at twocycles +78 degrees. From that position, the sheet feeding mechanism ofthe recording apparatus is actuated in cooperation with the automaticsheet feeder 100.

This operation is needed for aligning the leading end of the recordingsheets 22 (removing resist), and also, the feeding is performed whilepressing in the recording sheet 22 by means of the automatic sheetfeeder 100. In this way, biting of the recording sheet 22 into therecording apparatus is effectuated in a better condition. At thisjuncture, the feeding speed of the automatic sheet feeder 100 is setsubstantially equal to that of the recording apparatus side. In thisrespect, depending on the kinds of the recording sheet 22, there aresome cases that the recording sheet 22 is not carried to the position ofthe sheet sensor 25 even in the second cycle of the operation.Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, the detection ismade by the sheet sensor until the fourth cycle thereof.

After the recording sheet 22 has been fed into the recording apparatusside, the operation of the automatic sheet feeder 100 returns to theinitial state represented in FIG. 21.

Manual Insertion Mode

Until the position described above in conjunction with FIG. 22, theautomatic sheet feeding motor 101 is caused to rotate, and then, to stopin that position. Since the separation roller 105, preliminary roller108, and sheet stopper 104 are in the non-operative position, theoperator can insert the desired sheet into or withdraw it from the sheetinlet of the recording apparatus directly.

This mode is used for the thick sheet that the automatic sheet feedercannot handle for feeding, for example.

Now, with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIG. 41 to FIG. to FIG.45, a description will be provided of the control sequence of theautomatic sheet feeder structured as described above.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart illustrating the process of the initial operationof the automatic sheet feeder at the time of the power-supply being ONfor a recording apparatus or an information processing apparatus.

When the initialization of the automatic sheet feeder begins in stepS201, a value equivalent to A=82 steps is set and stored in the initialstep storage area in RAM as an initial value. This value serves to be avalue that enables the automatic sheet feeder to be driven for a numberof steps required from the OFF to ON edge (ON edge) of the sheet initialsensor 102 to the home position.

Then, in S202, it is determined whether or not the sheet initial sensor102 is ON.

At this juncture, if the sheet initial sensor is ON, the automatic sheetfeeding motor is driven for 300 steps in S203 in order to turn off thesheet initial sensor, and then, the process proceeds to the next stepS204.

Also, if the sheet initial sensor is OFF, the process is assumed toproceed to S204 as it is.

In S204, the regular driving of the automatic sheet feeding motor 101begins. In S205, the automatic sheet feeding motor is driven for thestep numbers corresponding to the value A stored in the initial stepstorage area after the OFF to On edge of the sheet initial sensor 102 isdetected, and then, the automatic sheet feeding motor is suspended. Theprocess proceeds to S206.

In S206, it is determined whether the status is to designate theautomatic sheet feeding mode or the manual insertion mode. If the modeis for the automatic sheet feeding, the initialization of the automaticsheet feeder is completed.

If the mode is found to be the manual insertion in the S206, the processproceeds to S207.

In S207, the automatic sheet feeding motor is driven for 176 steps tochange the status of each component in the automatic sheet feeder to bein the position to deal with the manual insertion mode. The automaticsheet feeding motor is suspended to complete the initialization of theautomatic sheet feeder.

Now, FIG. 42 is a flowchart illustrating the process of the operation ofthe automatic sheet feeder until the driving of the sheet feeding motorstarts in the automatic sheet feeding.

When a sheet feeding command is given in S221, the regular rotation ofthe automatic sheet feeding motor begins, and the automatic sheetfeeding starts.

In S222, a value N=1 is set in the rotational number storage area in RAMas an initial value for determining the rotational numbers of theseparation roller and preliminary roller. In the subsequent step S223,it is determined whether or not each of the rollers described above isin the first rotation after the automatic sheet feeding operation hasbegun.

In S223, if the rotation is found to be the first one, the processproceeds to S228. In S228, the detection of the OFF to ON edge of thesheet initial sensor begins at the position where the automatic sheetfeeding motor is driven for 1,300 steps from the home position of theautomatic sheet feeder in order to measure the area where the sheetinitial sensor is ON at the time of the first rotational driving.

Then, in S229, the OFF to ON edge of the sheet initial sensor from theON to OFF edge thereof is measured, and then, in the next S230, half avalue of the OFF to ON edge of the sheet initial sensor to the ON to OFFedge therefore is stored in the initial step storage area. After that,the process proceeds to S231.

In S231, the content of the rotation number storage area is changed to 2in order to prepare for the decision on entering the second rotation.

In S223, it is determined whether or not the driving of each of therollers described above is in the first rotation. However, this time,the driving is in the second time. Therefore, it is determined that thedriving is not in the first rotation. Then, the process proceeds toS224.

In S224, the ON detection of the sheet sensor 25 is conducted in thedriving of the second rotation at the timing that the automatic sheetfeeding motor is driven for 470 steps from the home position.

Then, in S225, if the sheet sensor is found to be ON, the processproceeds to S226 to start the driving of the sheet feeding motor whenthe automatic sheet feeding motor is driven for 3,261 steps.

Also, in 227, the automatic sheet feeding motor is driven for theportion of the value stored in the initial step storage area from the ONto OFF edge of the sheet initial sensor, and then, suspended. Thus, thesheet feeding operation is completed.

Also, in S225, if the sheet sensor is found to be OFF, the processproceeds to S232.

In S232, it is determined whether or not each of the rollers describedabove is driven to rotate four times.

At the time described above, each of the rollers has rotated two times.Therefore, the process proceeds to S231 to prepare for deciding on thethird rotational driving, and the third rotational driving is performedand continues.

Then, in 223, it is again determined whether or not the driving is forthe first rotation. However, since the driving is for the third rotationthis time, the process proceeds to S224. In the third rotationaldriving, the ON detection of the sheet sensor is conducted in thelocation where the automatic sheet feeding motor is driven for 470 stepsfrom the home position.

Then, in S225, if the sheet sensor is found to be ON, the processproceeds to S226. The same control as described above is conducted inS226 and S227.

Also, if the sheet sensor is found to be OFF in S225, the same controlas described above in S232 is conducted. At the time as described above,each roller rotates three times. Therefore, the process proceeds to S231to prepare for deciding on the fourth rotational driving, and thedriving continues for the fourth rotation.

Detection of the sheet sensor is conducted in the location where theautomatic sheet feeding motor is driven for 470 steps from the homeposition.

Then, in S225, if the sheet sensor is found to be ON, the processproceeds to S226, and the same control as described above is conductedin S226 and S227.

Also, in S225, if the sheet sensor is found to be OFF, the processproceeds to S232.

This time, it is assumed that the sheet sensor is not ON even in thefourth rotational driving zone. As a result, the process proceeds toS233 to inform the user of the abnormal condition by indicating an errormessage on the display, sounding the buzzer, or the like. After that,the process proceeds to S227 to conduct the same control as describedabove in S227, thus terminating the process.

Now, FIG. 43 is a flowchart illustrating the process of the operation ofthe automatic sheet feeder when the automatic sheet feeding mode isswitched over to the manual insertion mode.

At first, in S270, it is determined whether or not there is any commandfrom an information processing apparatus serving as a host to requestswitching over from the automatic sheet feeding mode to the manualinsertion mode. If affirmative, the process proceeds to S271 where theautomatic sheet feeding motor is driven regularly for 176 steps tocomplete the switching over from the automatic sheet feeding mode to themanual insertion mode. Also, in S270, if there is no command from theinformation processing apparatus serving as the host to requestswitching over from the automatic sheet feeding mode to the manualinsertion mode, the process terminates as in the current status.

Here, FIG. 44 is a flowchart illustrating the process of the operationof the automatic sheet feeder when switching over from the manualinsertion mode to the automatic sheet feeding mode.

At first, in S280, it is determined whether or not there is any commandfrom an information processing apparatus serving as a host to requestthe switching over from the manual insertion mode to the automatic sheetfeeding mode. If affirmative, the process proceeds to S281, where theautomatic sheet feeding motor is reversely driven for 176 steps, thuscompleting the switching over process from the manual insertion mode tothe automatic sheet feeding mode. Also, in the S280, if there is nocommand from the information processing apparatus serving as the host torequest any switching over from the manual insertion mode to theautomatic sheet feeding mode, the process terminates as in the currentstatus.

Now, the manual insertion feeding process will be described inconjunction with FIG. 45.

At the beginning, the operator causes the leading end of a recordingsheet to pass below the automatic sheet feeder, and inserts that endinto the sheet feeding inlet of the printer main body, thus allowing theleading end of the recording sheet to abut upon the sheet feeding rollerand pinch roller to begin the manual insertion sheet feeding process.

Now, at first, in S250, it is determined whether or not there is anysheet feeding command by means of a key input or the like. Ifaffirmative, the process proceeds to S251.

In the S251, the sheet sensor is found to be ON, the process proceeds toS252 where the automatic sheet feeding motor begins to be drivenregularly. Then, in S253, when the automatic sheet feeding motor hasbeen driven for 612 steps, the sheet feeding motor begins to be drivento bite the leading end of the sheet by means of the sheet feedingroller.

Also, in S254, the automatic sheet feeding motor is driven from the OFFto ON edge of the sheet feeding initial sensor for steps of a value Astored in the initial step storage area +176. After that, the motor issuspended to complete the manual insertion feeding operation.

Also, in S250, if there is no sheet feeding command by means of the keyboard input or the like, the process returns again to the S250 to waitfor a sheet feeding command.

Further, in S251, the sheet sensor is found to be OFF, the processproceeds to S255 where an error process is executed to terminate thecurrent process.

Now, a description will be provided of the outline of an informationprocessing apparatus 400 in which a printer unit 401 embodying thepresent invention is incorporated.

FIG. 27 and FIGS. 28(A and B) are perspective views which schematicallyillustrate the outer appearance of the information processing apparatus400. Also, FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view which schematically showsthe information processing apparatus 400, observed from its side. InFIGS. 27 to 30, a reference numeral 401 designates a printer unit; 402denotes a key board unit provided with keys for inputting letters,numbers, and other characters, and the keys for inputting variouscommands; 403 denotes an indication unit provided with a display; 406denotes a printer aperture arranged on the housing of the informationprocessing apparatus 400 for operating the printer unit 401; 407 denotesa cover to close the printer aperture when no operation is needed forthe printer unit 401; and 410 denotes an overlapped feeding preventivesheet provided for the information processing apparatus to avoid anyoverlapped feeding of the lowest sheet when a plurality of recordingsheets are set and fed by an automatic sheet feeder 100.

Also, FIG. 27 illustrates the status of the information processingapparatus 400 where the indication unit 403 is able to execute itsdisplay, and the key board unit is ready for use. Further, FIG. 28illustrates the status where the indication unit 403, which servesdually to be a protection cover of the main body of the informationprocessing apparatus 400, is closed to be in a stored condition, whilethe printer cover 407 is open for operating the printer unit 401.

As shown in FIG. 30, the printer unit 401 is incorporated in the deepestlocation of the information processing apparatus, for example, but thedirection in which it is installed enables the automatic sheet feeder100 to be arranged on the key board unit 402 side, and the sheetexhausting roller 15 to be arranged on the trailing end side of theinformation processing apparatus 400. In other words, the conveyingdirection of a recording sheet is the one in which the sheet is insertedfrom the key board side of the information processing apparatus 400, andexhausted toward the rear side of the housing. Also, the sheet path isarranged to enable the sheet to pass the gap between the lower end ofthe key board unit 402 and the upper surface of the housing of theinformation processing apparatus 400, and to arrive at the printer unit401.

FIG. 29 is a view which shows the state that a recording sheet 22 is setfor the information processing apparatus 400. For the rear end of thekey board unit shown in FIG. 27, that is, the side closer to theindication unit 403, a hinge (not shown) is provided, and the key boardunit is structured to be rotative centering on this hinge. Usually, whenthe key board unit 402 is used, it is in the state shown in FIG. 27.When a recording sheet 22 is set, the front end of the key board unit402 is lift to be rotated as shown in FIG. 29 to make it possible tofacilitate setting of the recording sheet 22. At this juncture, it isalso possible to fix the key board unit 402 in the released condition byuse of a stopper (not shown).

After the recording sheet is set, it is possible to operate recordingwhile the key board unit 402 is kept in the released condition or tooperate recording after closing the key board unit 402 to be in thestate shown in FIG. 27. In order to operate recording in the latterstate, a sufficient gap is secured between the lower end of the keyboard 402 and the upper surface of the housing of the informationprocessing apparatus so as not to hinder the movement of recording sheet22 even if a plurality of recording sheets are stacked in such gap.

Also, the stacking portion for recording sheets 22 on the upper surfaceof the housing of the information processing apparatus 400 is providedwith a guide member so that the recording sheets can be stacked in agiven position at all times. For the present information processingapparatus, the left-hand side of the recording sheet is made a referenceposition at the time of recording operation. Therefore, when recordingsheets are set, it is practiced to cause the recording sheets 22 to abutupon the sheet guide 408 on the left side, and then, shift the sheetguide 409 on the right side in the allowable range to match the width ofthe recording sheet. The guide on the right-hand side is arranged to bemovable in the width direction of the recording sheet in accordance withthe width of a recording sheet to be used. In this way, it is possibleto feed recording sheets stably.

Now, a description will be provided of the procedures that the operatoris required to take when the printer unit 401 should be operated fromthe outside.

The operation that the operator should conduct with respect to theprinter unit 401 is conceivably as follows among some others:

first, he should remove an installed recording head cartridge 1, an inktank 8, or a scanner head 200 from the carrier 2 or install each of themon the carrier as required;

second, he should clean the white reference 9 installed on the base 14when it is contaminated for some reason;

third, he should remove from the printer unit 401 a recording sheet 22if it has been jammed due to some cause, and the recording sheet 22 isleft in the printer unit; and

fourth, he should clean the base 14 if recording ink spreads for somecause over the location out of the area where the recording sheet 2 ispresent, and the base is stained.

In the first case, when the operator operates an exchange key (notshown), the carrier 2 is caused to move to the exchanging position (thecarrier position in the enlargement surrounded by one-dot chain line inFIG. 28) by means shown in the flowchart which will be described later.In the exchanging position, the carrier 2 is positioned at the printeraperture 406 of the housing of the information processing apparatus 400.The printer aperture is configured so that the operator can touch thecarrier directly by his fingers in this exchanging position. Hence, theoperator can remove the recording head cartridge 1 or others from orinstall each of them on the carrier through the printer aperture 406.

On the contrary, when the carrier 2 is in the home position, it is notdesirable to carry out any exchanging operation of the recording headcartridge 1 or others, because there is a possibility that thecircumference of the ink discharge ports of the recording head cartridge1 will be damaged at that time. Therefore, when the carrier 2 is in thehome position, the printer aperture 406 is closed so that no operatorcan touch the carrier 2 directly by his hand.

In the second case, the operator conducts the required operation whenthe carrier 2 is in the home position. The white reference 9 of theprinter unit 401 of the present embodiment is installed in the vicinityof the exchanging position, which is on the side opposite to the homeposition in the scanning range of the carrier 2. Then, the printeraperture 406 is configured so that the operator can touch the whitereference with his hand while the carrier is in the home position.

In accordance with the present embodiment, the exchanging position isnear the location where the white reference 9 is installed. Therefore,the space that allows the operator to put in his fingers is sharablewith the printer aperture used for the carrier operation in the firstcase. There is no need for making the printer aperture 406 unnecessarilylarger, which contributes to preventing the rigidity of the housing ofthe information processing apparatus 400 from being lowered.

In the third case and fourth case, it is possible to conduct therequired operations while the carrier 2 is in the home position. Asdescribed above, the printer aperture located near the home position ofthe carrier 2 is closed. Therefore, it is impossible to touch the entirepart of the recording sheet 22 and the recordable area of the base 14,but it is still possible to touch most parts thereof for disposing thejammed recording sheet 22 or clean the base 14. In this case, theaperture is not necessarily formed as wide as the one adopted for use inthe first and second cases. Therefore, it is possible to make its widthnarrower than the printer aperture in the exchanging position of thecarrier, hence preventing the rigidity of the housing of the informationprocessing apparatus 400 from being lowered.

Now, in conjunction with an electric circuit diagram, and a softwareflowchart, a description will be provided of items related to therecording operation among those operations of the information processingapparatus that uses a recording apparatus of the present embodiment.

FIG. 31 is a block diagram showing the electric circuit formation of theinformation processing apparatus related to the present embodiment. InFIG. 31, a reference numeral 501 designates a controller that performsthe main controlling; 502 denotes a CPU that executes certain proceduresin the mode of a micro-computer, for example; 503 denotes a RAM in whichthe developing area of text data and image data, and work area areprovided; 504 denotes a ROM in which a program for the aforesaidprocedures, the font data, and other fixed data are stored; 502 denotesa timer required for providing the execution cycle for the CPU 502, andgenerating timing for the recording operation of the printer unit 401;and 506 denotes an interface unit for connecting the signals from theCPU with the peripheral devices.

Also, a reference numeral 507 designates the controller of the printerunit 401; 508 denotes a head detection unit that detects the informationof recording head, such as the output value of the sensor that detectsthe presence and absence, and the kinds of the recording head cartridge1, and the temperature of the recording head cartridge 1, and the outputand others of the sensor that detects the presence and absence of ink inthe ink tank 8; 509 denotes the line buffer that accumulates recordingdata of the recording head cartridge 1; 510 denotes the head driver thattransmits the recording signals and electric power to the recording headcartridge 1; 511 a, 511 b, and 511 c denote a carrier motor 10, sheetfeeding motor 23, and the motor driver that transmits the signals andelectric power required for driving the automatic sheet feeding motor101; and 512 denotes a sensor detection unit for detecting the sensoroutput of the sheet feeding initial sensor 102 and others. Further, areference numeral 404 designates the external storage devices such asFDD, HDD, and RAM card; and 405 denotes the external interface requiredfor communicating with other information processing apparatuses, andcontrolling the peripheral devices through the direct connection to theinternal bus. In this respect, although not included in the blockdiagram shown in FIG. 23, there is a power-supply unit for supplyingpower to the electric circuit. For this unit, there is prepared arechargeable battery, disposable dry cell or AC power-supply converterthat is fixed on the information processing apparatus main body for use.

With the electric circuit described above, the recording unit performsrecording on a recording sheet 22. Now, in conjunction with theflowchart shown in FIG. 32 and those to follow, a description will beprovided of the outline of the control sequence of the recordingoperation.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating the processes at the time of turningon and off a recording apparatus or an information processing apparatus.In S1, the system is in the power-off condition. With the exception of atimer 505 (see FIG. 31), all the functions of the system are suspended.From the power-off condition, the operation begins when the power-onsignal is given, that is, it begins when the power-supply switch isturned on. Thus, at first, the power-on process is executed for therecording apparatus in S2. When the process in S2 is completed, itproceeds to S3 where the power-supply is turned on. In this power-onstate, recording and other operations are performed. If the power-offsignal is detected in the power-on state, the process proceeds to S4 toexecute the power-off process. When the process in S4 is completed, itreturns to S1 where the system is the power-off condition. Therefore, atthe time of turning on and off the power-supply, the system is in thepower-supply on or off condition. Also, in S3, if the signal oftemporary suspension is detected, the process proceeds to S5 to executethe temporary suspension. The temporary suspension signal is the one tobe output by the sensor that detects the opening and closing of theindication unit 403 or the sensor and the like that detects theattachment and detachment of a battery, for example, when the operatoracts as if he is in the non-operative state despite the fact that he isstill in the operative state, such as when he folds the indication unit403 shown in FIG. 19 over the key board unit 402 while the system isstill in the power-on condition or he replaces the batteries. Also, thetemporary suspension is the process to be executed for preventing theapparatus from being damaged or preventing any defects from occurring ifany use is committed other than the fundamental ones. The details willbe described later. In S5, when the temporary suspension process iscompleted, the process proceeds to S6 where the system is in thetemporary suspension. In the state of the temporary suspension, thefunctions of the elements other than necessary are suspended or thesystem is in the power-off condition. In the state of the temporarysuspension, if the releasing signal of the temporary suspension isdetected, the process proceeds to S7 to release the temporarysuspension. The temporary suspension releasing signal is the one thatmakes a pair with the temporary suspension signal described above, thatis, the signal indicating that the apparatus is restored to the statethat it is operative, such as the indication unit 403 changes from theclosing state to the opening state or the battery which has been removedis now installed. Also, the temporary suspension releasing process isthe one to restore the system to the condition before the temporarysuspension is executed. All the details will be described later. In thisway, even when the operator should open or close the indication unit 403carelessly while the apparatus is in operation or attach or detach thebattery to or from the apparatus, it is possible to restore theapparatus to the original state. In the S7, when the temporarysuspension releasing process is completed, the process returns to S3 tobe in the power-on condition. For the temporary suspension signal, itmay be possible to select whether or not the temporary suspensionprocess is executed at the time such signal is detected. For example, asa sheet handling should be carried out while the recording apparatus isin operation, it may be desirable to close the indication unit 403. Insuch case, the selection may be arranged so that the system of theapparatus is set to disable the temporary suspension process while theindication unit 403 is opened or closed.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart to illustrate the power-on process in S2. Atfirst, in S11, the automatic sheet feeder is initialized. The detailsare the same as described earlier.

Then, in S12, initialization is executed with respect to the recoverysystem, the sheet feeding, and the home position. More specifically, thesheet feeding motor 23 and carrier motor 10 are initialized for therecovery system. After that, the sheet feeding motor 23 is driven toremove the backlash of the sheet feed driving mechanism by rotating thesheet feeding motor 23 in the reverse direction and forward directionfor a given driving amount, respectively. Then, the home positioninitialization is conducted to set the position of the carrier 203definitely. More specifically, the carrier motor is driven to define theposition where the output of the home position sensor 26 is switchedover as a reference position, and then, the sheet feeding motor 23 andcarrier motor 10 are driven to close the discharge ports of therecording head cartridge 1 by the cap 301, and keep the cartridge in thecapping state.

Then, in S13, the time is measured by means of the timer 505 for theperiod from the last discharge of the recording head cartridge 1 or thelast execution of suction to the preset, and the measured interval ismore than a given period n, the process proceeds to S14 where therecovery process of the recording head is executed. If such interval isless than the given period, the process proceeds to S15. In the S14, thedischarge to the interior of the cap 301 of the recording head cartridge1, the cleaning of the discharge port unit of the recording headcartridge 1 by means of the blade 302, the ink suction from therecording head cartridge 1 by means of the pump unit, and some otheroperations are performed as the recovery process of the recording headcartridge 1. If the recording head cartridge 1 is not used and leftintact for a long time, defective ink discharges may ensue because ofthe increased viscosity of ink brought about by the evaporation of inkin the discharge ports of the recording head cartridge 1. This conditioncan be prevented by means of the recovery process. The recovery processis completed in S14, and it is checked in S15 whether or not the sheetsensor detects the presence of the recording sheet. If affirmative, theprocess proceeds to S16. If negative, it proceeds to S17. In S16, thedetected sheet is exhausted. In other words, after the sheet sensordetects the absence of the recording sheet, the sheet feeding motor 23is driven for a given amount in the forward direction. Then, in S17, thepower-on process is terminated.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating the power-off process in S4. Atfirst, in S21, it is examined whether or not the recording headcartridge 1 is in the capping state. If negative, the process proceedsto S22. If affirmative, it proceeds to S23. In the S22, the carriermotor 10 and sheet feeding motor 23 are driven to set the recording headcartridge 1 in the capping state. Then, in S23, the power-supply of therecording apparatus is turned off, thus suspending the functionsthereof. By means of this process, it is arranged to prevent defectivedischarges from taking place due to the increased viscosity of inkbrought about by its evaporation when the discharge port surface of therecording head cartridge 1 is exposed to the atmosphere, because thepower-supply is turned off after the recording head cartridge 1 isreliably brought to the capping state even when the recording headcartridge 1 is not in the capping state at the moment, that is, thepower-supply is turned off while recording is being executed in thesimilar condition.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating the temporary suspension process inS5. At first, in S31, it is checked whether or not there is any processcurrently being executed. If affirmative, the process proceeds to S32.If negative, it proceeds to S33. In the S32, the current process isexecuted for a given portion. More specifically, the processes areexecuted until the recording of the current line is completed if anyrecording is in execution or until the current sheet feeding orautomatic sheet feeding is completed if such operation is in progress.Also, if the sheet exhausting process is in progress, this process issuspended immediately. Then, in S33, the current status is stored in thememory. In other words, if there is any process that has been suspended,the suspended state is stored in the memory. Likewise, the currentstatus of indication unit 403, that of an operation panel (not shown),the statuses of on-line or off-line are stored or the status of savingmode is also stored if such mode is available for the power-supply fromthe battery. Then, in S34, the recording head cartridge 1 is brought tobe in the capping state. If it is already in the capping state, noprocess will be executed at all. Then, in S35, the power-supply for anyunnecessary parts is turned off in the temporary suspended condition.Then, in S36, the temporary suspension process in the S5 is terminated.In this process, even if the temporary suspension signal is detectedwhile the recording is in execution, the capping of the recording headcartridge 1 is reliably performed to prevent the recording headcartridge 1 from being left intact without capping, thus avoiding anyresultant defective discharges.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart illustrating the temporary suspension releasingprocess in S7. At first, in S41, the initialization is executed forgiven units. More specifically, as shown in S11 and S12, the position ofthe carrier 203 is defined, and backlash is removed for the sheetfeeding motor 23, the initial position is set for the automatic sheetfeeding mechanism, among others. Then in S42, the stored state prior tothe temporary suspension is examined. Then, in S43, the process isexecuted to restore the current condition to the state prior to theexecution of the temporary suspension process. More specifically, ifthere is any process that has been suspended, such process is completedto restore the states of the indication unit 403 and operation panel.Then, in S44, the temporary suspension releasing process is terminated.As a result, even if the process is temporarily suspended while therecording apparatus carrying it on, such process can be continued, as inthe state prior to the temporary suspension, once it has been restored.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart illustrating the process in the power-oncondition in S3.

At first, in S51, various errors are checked, and error process isexecuted. More specifically, if there is no recording sheet in therecording apparatus, there is no installation of the recording headcartridge 1 or in tank 8, no ink remains in the ink tank 8, a sheetjamming is detected, while a recording execution is in progress, thetemperature of the recording head cartridge 1 rises abnormally, andscanning errors of each kind of motors are detected, for example. Ineach of such cases, an error message is displayed in the indication unit403 or on the operation panel, or a warning buzzer is sounded. Then, inS52, any key operations and command reception signals from the key board402, the operation panel, the external interface 405 and others arechecked to execute each of the corresponding processes. Morespecifically, if the sheet feeding key is depressed, the sheetinsertion, exhaustion, sheet feeding for a given amount, or the like isexecuted as the case may be. Also, if the on-line key is depressed oron-line and off-line commands are received, the error status isexamined, and the on-line and off-line state processes are executed.Also, commands are received with respect to recording and others, thecorresponding processes are executed. Further, if the key input isdetected as to the exchanges of the recording head cartridges 1 or inktanks 8 or if it is detected that no ink remains in the ink tank 8, thecarrier motor 10 is driven to cause the carrier 203 to move to thelocation where such exchanges can be made easily, and then, when theexchange is completed, the carrier motor 10 and sheet feeding motor 23are driven to cause the recording head 201 to move so that it is coveredby the cap 301 for the execution of ink suction from the discharge portsof the recording head cartridge 1 by means of the pump unit.

When the ink tanks 8 are exchanged, the air may be intermingled in theink path between the recording head cartridge 1 and the ink tank 8.However, it is possible to remove such intermingled air to the outsideby sucking ink, and to prevent any defective discharge from taking placedue to such air intermingled in the recording head cartridge 1. Then, inS53, the recording process is executed. The details will be describedlater. Then, in S54, the power-off signal is examined. If affirmative,the process proceeds to S4 where the power-off process is executed asdescribed earlier. If negative, the process returns to the S51.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart illustrating the recording process among those inS53. At first, in S61, it is examined if there is any command to requestthe execution of recording, such as a sheet feeding command, and also,the presence and absence of the data signals received for recording areexamined. If affirmative, the process proceeds to S62. If negative, itproceeds to S71 where the current process is terminated. In S62, theon-line state is checked. If the on-line state is found, the processproceeds to S63. If the off-line state is found, it proceeds to S71where the current process is terminated. In S63, it is examined if therecording head cartridge 1 is installed on the carrier 2. Ifaffirmative, the process proceeds to S65. If negative, it proceeds toS64. In S64, an error message is displayed in the indication unit 403 oron the operation panel, or a warning buzzer is sounded. In S65, theprocess is executed to start recording. More specifically, thetemperature of the recording head cartridge 1 is adjusted by means ofheaters in the recording head cartridge 1, the discharge adjustment ismade by discharging to the outside of the recording area of therecording head cartridge 1, the deviation amount of the carrier motor 10at the time of forward and reverse scans measured by means of the homeposition sensor, and the misregisteration in the bidirectional recordingis corrected. Then, in S66, the sheet feeding is checked. If there is nosheet inserted in the recording position at the time of automatic sheetfeeding mode, the automatic sheet feeder 101 is driven to execute sheetfeeding. Then, in S67, recording is performed for the unit of one line.More specifically, the carrier motor 10 is driven, and ink is dischargedby means of the recording head cartridge 1 to perform recording. Whenone-line recording is completed, the recording sheet is fed for a givenamount, and then, the process proceeds to S68. In the S68, errors arechecked. If there is no error, the process proceeds to S70. If not, itproceeds to S69. The error checking is to include the detection of thelower end of the recording sheet, the detection of a jammed sheet, thedetection of the presence and absence of ink, and the examination ofscanning errors of each motor. The detected errors are processed in theS51 described earlier. In the S69, the reception of a command indicatingthe completion of recording, such as the sheet exhaust command, isexamined. If the recording is completed, the process proceeds to S70. Ifnot, it returns to S67 to continue recording. In the S70, the process isexecuted to terminate recording. More specifically, the sheet exhaust,the capping of the recording head cartridge 1, and others are executed.Then, in S71, the recording process among those in S53 is terminated.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating the reading process among those inS53. At first, in S81, it is examined if there is any command to requestthe execution of reading. For example, the presence and absence of acommand is checked in order to start reading. If affirmative, theprocess proceeds to S82. If negative, it proceeds to S92 to terminatethe current process. In S82, the on-line state is checked. If the stateis on-line, the process proceeds to S92. If it is off-line, the currentprocess is terminated in S92. In S83, the installation of the scannerhead 200 on the carrier 2 is examined. If affirmative, the processproceeds to S85. If negative, it proceeds to S84. In S84, the errormessage is displayed on the indication unit 403 and operation panel orthe warning buzzer is sounded. In S85, the process is executed to startreading. More specifically, the LED in the scanner head 200 isilluminated, the deviation amount of the carrier motor 10 at the time offorward and reverse scanning is measured by means of the home positionsensor, and the misregisteration in the bidirectional recording iscorrected. In S86, the white reference correction process is executed.More specifically, the carrier motor 10 is driven to cause the readingunit of the scanner head 200 to move to the location where the whitereference 9 is installed on the base 14, and then, the white reference 9is scanned to read the white level. The level thus read is stored as acorrection value for the levels to be read thereafter depending on thecurrent level thus read out. In S87, the sheet feeding is checked. Ifthere is no recording sheet inserted in the recording position in theautomatic sheet feeding mode, the automatic sheet feeding motor 101 isdriven to feed a recording sheet. Then, S88, the reading is executed perunit of one line. More specifically, the carrier motor is driven tocause the scanner head 200 to perform reading. When one-line reading iscompleted, the recording sheet is fed for a given amount, and then, theprocess proceeds to S89. In S89, errors are checked. If there is anyerror, the process proceeds to S91. If no errors are detected, theprocess proceeds to S90. The error check is to include the detection ofthe lower end of the recording sheet, the detection of jammed sheet, andthe detection of scanning errors of each motor. The detected errors areprocessed in the S51 as described earlier. In the S90, the reception ofcommand to indicate the termination of reading, such as the sheetexhaust command, is examined. If the reading should be terminated, theprocess proceeds to S92. If not, it returns to the S88 to continuereading. In S91, the recording termination process is executed. Morespecifically, the recording sheet is exhausted, and the scanner head 200is returned to the home position, among others. Then, in S92, thereading process among those in S53 is terminated.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart illustrating the device exchange process for thecarrier 2 to perform recording and reading in S53. This process isexecuted when an interrupt is called by an exchange key (not shown)provided for the key board unit 402, for example, while the recordingapparatus is in the power-on state in S3. At first, in S101, it isdetermined whether or not there is any command to install the recordinghead cartridge 1, an ink tank 8, or scanner head 200 on the carrier 2 orto exchange them. If affirmative, the process proceeds to S102. Ifnegative, it proceeds to S106 to terminate the current process. In theS102, if the carrier 2 is in the home position, the sheet feeding motor23 is driven to release the fixation of the carrier 2, and then, todrive the carrier motor 10 to cause the carrier 2 to move to a givenexchanging position. In the exchanging position, the operator exchangesthe monochromatic recording head cartridges 51 or the color recordinghead cartridges 53, or the ink tank 8 having no ink remaining in it withanother ink tank 8 or exchanges the recording head with the scanner headto execute reading, among other operations. Then, in S103, when theexchange completion key is depressed or a given period of time elapses,it is determined whether or not there is any command indicating theexchange completion. If affirmative, the process proceeds to S104. Ifnegative it returns to S103 to be on standby until such command isgiven. In S104, the carrier motor 10 is driven to cause the carrier 2 tomove to the home position. Then, in S105, the recording head cartridge1, scanner head 200, or other device that has been installed newly onthe carrier 2 is detected in accordance with its kind. Then, the processis executed to set parameters needed for use of each of the devices inthe RAM 503 through the interface unit 506. At this juncture, thelocations of the home position are changed depending on whether thescanner head 200 is installed on the carrier 2 or the recording headcartridge 1 is installed on it. When the scanner head 200 is installed,the home position is set in the location closer to the recovery unit(blade and cap) side than the carrier position at the time of therecording head cartridge 1 being installed. In accordance with thepresent embodiment, the line segment 214 shown in FIG. 2 represents thestandard stopping position of the carrier 2 when the scanner head 200 isinstalled on it. Then, in S106, the exchanging process for the carrier 2is terminated.

As described above, the present embodiment is simply structured to makethe distance from one face of the recording sheet to the reading unit ofthe scanner head greater than the distance from one face of therecording sheet to the discharge port surface of the recording headcartridge so that the position of the reading portion surface of thescanner head is set further away from the discharge port surface of therecording head with respect to the recording sheet feeding path. Hence,there is no need for the provision of any circuit for discriminating onehead from another. Also, even when the scanner head is installed, thereis no need for any consideration that should be given especially itscontrol. Further, if the user erroneously installs a recording head inplace of a scanner head, there is no possibility that the scanner headis stained. Therefore, it is possible to provide a small and lightrecording apparatus having a high reliability at lower costs.

Also, the present embodiment is an ink jet recording apparatusstructured by providing an optical image reading means to be exchangedwith the recording means of the ink jet recording apparatus orinstalling it in on the carrier, and at least two white references arearranged each in and out of the printing area of recording meansinstalled on the carrier, respectively and separately, thus making itpossible to discriminate the contaminated conditions of the two whitereferences due to printing.

Moreover, the present embodiment is a recording apparatus in which thewhite reference capable of being read by a scanner head is arrangedwithin the scanning range of the carrier on the side opposite to thehome position where the ink discharge ports of the recording headcartridge are capped, and in the vicinity of such white reference, theexchanging position is set for the recording head cartridge or scannerhead to be removed from the carrier or installed on it. In this way, anaperture for operating the attachment or detachment of the recordinghead cartridge or scanner head to or from the carrier, and an aperturefor cleaning the white reference are arranged to be sharable with eachother. Hence, there is no need for the provisions of the individualapertures for cleaning the white reference and carrying out the exchangeoperations as in the prior art, making it possible to reduce the numberof the apertures and to demonstrate an effect that a recording apparatusis provided with its housing whose rigidity is made higher.

What is claimed is:
 1. An ink jet recording apparatus capable ofmounting an optical reading means for reading an image of an original toa carrier reciprocally moving and capable of mounting recording meansfor recording on a recording sheet, said apparatus comprising: a firstwhite reference provided out of a recordable area of said recordingmeans as a reference of a reading level for said optical reading means;a second white reference provided within a recordable area of saidrecording means and used for comparing with a reading level when saidoptical reading means reads the first white reference; and detectingmeans for detecting contamination of each said white reference bycomparing reading levels of the first and second white references readby said optical reading means.
 2. The ink jet recording apparatusaccording to claim 1, wherein said detecting means judges that the firstwhite reference is contaminated if the first white reference is darkerthan a predetermined value by comparing the reading levels of the firstand second white references read by said optical reading means.
 3. Theink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detectingmeans judges that the second white reference is contaminated if thesecond white reference is darker than a predetermined value by comparingthe reading levels of the first and second white references read by saidoptical reading means.
 4. The ink jet recording apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said carrier is capable of mounting said opticalreading means instead of said recording means.
 5. The ink jet recordingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein said recording means is an inkjet recording head for discharging ink by utilizing thermal energygenerated by an electrothermal converting element.